US grants visas to Iranian delegation for UN General Assembly as war enters seventh month
The US government has issued visas allowing Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, even as the war between the two countries continues.
The US government has granted visas to Iranian officials to attend next week's UN General Assembly session in New York. According to the BBC, the core delegation cleared to attend includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
A US State Department spokesman confirmed the decision on Thursday, stating that the delegation will face travel restrictions and a ban on purchasing certain American goods. In line with host-country obligations, the spokesman said, the core delegation from the Iranian government will be allowed to attend the General Assembly's high-level week, but will be subject to travel limits and barred from buying luxury and other goods under existing US policy. This year's delegation is smaller than last year's.
Last year, Iranian diplomats were barred from shopping at wholesale retailers such as Costco and had to obtain US permission before buying luxury items, including jewellery, alcohol and cars.
War shows no sign of ending
The decision comes as the war between the US and Iran, which began on 28 February with a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran, continues into its seventh month with no resolution in sight. The conflict has pushed up global energy prices and spread into neighbouring countries. Iran has repeatedly struck US bases and allied states in the Gulf, as well as Israel. Public and political pressure on the White House to end the conflict has been growing.
The UN General Assembly's 81st session is currently under way, with the General Debate, its centrepiece, set to open on Tuesday with addresses from US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron. Wednesday is expected to feature speeches from the leaders of Ukraine, Syria and Iran.
The BBC also learned that the US denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for a second consecutive year, as the White House does not recognise the legitimacy of the Palestinian delegation.
