NEW YORK — The United States has approved visas for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The U.S. State Department said Thursday that visas had been approved for Iran’s “core delegation” and essential staff members who will participate in the high level U.N. meetings.
U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of visa privacy laws, confirmed that Pezeshkian and Araghchi are among the Iranian officials who will be allowed to travel to New York.
The decision comes after more than six months of conflict between Iran and the United States, with no clear indication that an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or resume negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program is imminent.
Tensions have also increased in the region, with Iranian backed Houthi rebels in Yemen stepping up attacks targeting shipping and infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea. Disruptions along major maritime routes have contributed to concerns over global energy supplies and rising oil prices.
The United States continues to impose extensive sanctions on Iran and has recently launched a new campaign aimed at cutting what it describes as the country’s “critical financial lifelines.” Washington also continues to designate Iran as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.
Despite the tensions, the U.S. has obligations as the host country of the United Nations headquarters that generally limit its ability to prevent foreign leaders from attending the General Assembly.
The State Department said the Iranian delegation will face restrictions while in New York, including limits on its movement and prohibitions on purchasing certain luxury and other goods. The delegation will also be smaller than last year’s.
Similar restrictions were imposed on Iranian diplomats who attended last year’s U.N. meetings. At the time, Iranian officials faced strict limits on how far they could travel from Iran’s U.N. mission in New York, including restrictions on shopping at wholesale membership stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club.
The decision to grant visas to the Iranian delegation came one day after the State Department denied visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and members of his delegation for the same U.N. General Assembly.
The State Department accused the Palestinian Authority of attempting to “internationalize” the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza through cases brought before the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court. Washington also criticized the Palestinian Authority over payments to prisoners jailed in Israel for attacks against Israelis.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the U.S. decision, arguing that restrictions on its officials would undermine efforts toward a two state solution.
Its foreign ministry said the measures would weaken what it described as a Palestinian partner committed to a political solution, while strengthening forces seeking to maintain occupation, settlements and annexation.
The United States does not recognize the Palestinian Authority as the government of a full U.N. member state, although the U.N. General Assembly and several U.N. agencies and organizations recognize the Palestinian representation.
The arrival of Iran’s top officials in New York is expected to draw attention as world leaders gather for the annual U.N. General Assembly amid continuing conflicts and diplomatic tensions across the Middle East.
