US visa decisions affecting the Iranian delegation have come into focus ahead of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a statement from the Iranian presidency, the US administration denied visas to some members of the senior delegation accompanying Pezeshkian. Members of the presidential media and communications team were among those who did not receive visas.
Pezeshkian to travel to New York
Habibullah Abbasi, director general of public relations at the Iranian presidency, announced that Pezeshkian would depart for New York on Tuesday, September 22.
During his visit, Pezeshkian is scheduled to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and address the General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23.
The Iranian president’s New York program also includes meetings with leaders and officials from some of the countries attending the session, meetings with Iranians living in the US, and talks with representatives of various think tanks.
Media team denied visas
The US administration has allowed Pezeshkian to enter New York but did not grant visas to the entire Iranian delegation. Iranian statements said members of the presidential media team were among those who failed to obtain visas.
As a result, Pezeshkian is expected to make his New York visit without the presidential media team. The Iranian side said developments related to the bilateral meetings during the visit would be shared with the public.
Additional restrictions on Iranian delegation
Washington is also imposing other restrictions on the Iranian delegation’s activities in New York. The US State Department had announced that the Iranian delegation would be allowed to attend the UN General Assembly, but that its members’ movements in New York would be restricted.
Members of the Iranian delegation will also face restrictions on purchasing luxury products and certain goods.
Focus turns to UN General Assembly
Alongside Pezeshkian’s General Assembly address, his diplomatic contacts in New York will also be closely watched. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi departed before Pezeshkian and traveled to Doha, the capital of Qatar, ahead of the New York program.
US visa and movement restrictions on the Iranian delegation have become one of the prominent diplomatic issues at the UN General Assembly meetings, which are taking place as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue.
