Iranian Officials Hit By US Visa Denial Ahead Of UN Assembly

The United States has reportedly denied visas to some members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s delegation ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Iranian state media reported that members of Pezeshkian’s communications team were among those affected, describing the decision as a hostile move by the US government.

Pezeshkian is expected to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. His planned visit would make him the highest-ranking Iranian official to travel to the United States since the conflict between Iran and Israel, involving US strikes, began earlier this year.

Iranian news agency Mehr also reported the visa denials, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency.

The US has nevertheless authorised the Iranian delegation to travel to New York for the UN meeting, while imposing restrictions similar to those placed on the delegation last year. The State Department said members of the Iranian delegation would, among other restrictions, be barred from purchasing luxury goods and certain other items.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of the delegation, reportedly left Iran on Sunday for Qatar before continuing to the United States.

The visa dispute comes amid wider tensions between Washington and Tehran, including disagreements over the strategic Strait of Hormuz and restrictions affecting Iranian ports.