- Pezeshkian and senior Iranian officials cleared to travel to New York as Washington maintains visa restrictions on Palestinian leadership
WASHINGTON: The United States will allow a core Iranian delegation, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York, the US State Department said Thursday.
The decision comes amid continuing military tensions between Washington and Tehran and follows months of conflict across the Middle East. A source familiar with the arrangements confirmed that Pezeshkian is among the Iranian officials covered by the decision. Reuters also reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is part of the core delegation.
US Cites Host-Country Obligations
A State Department spokesman said the decision was consistent with Washington’s obligations as host country of the UN headquarters.
“Consistent with our host country obligations, the core delegation from the Iranian regime will be able to attend UN General Assembly High Level Week,” the spokesman said.
The Iranian delegation, however, will be smaller than last year and will be subject to travel restrictions. Members will also face restrictions on the purchase of luxury goods and certain other products.
The United States had suspended most visa issuance to Iranian nationals in 2026, while diplomatic and official travel remains subject to specific exceptions under US rules.
Regional Conflict Overshadows UN Gathering
The decision comes against the backdrop of a prolonged US-Iran conflict that has affected security and trade across the wider Middle East.
Fighting has also disrupted maritime traffic through strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global energy shipments, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Yemen.
The continuing tensions have contributed to volatility in energy markets and heightened international concern over the security of commercial shipping in the region.
Abbas Denied Entry Visa
The US decision to permit the Iranian delegation to attend the UN gathering comes shortly after Washington denied Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas an entry visa for the second consecutive year.
A Palestinian official familiar with the matter confirmed the visa denial, while the US State Department said it would deny visas to members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials of the Palestinian Authority.
The State Department said the decision was based on its assessment that the PLO and Palestinian Authority had failed to meet commitments to the United States and had undertaken activities it said undermined prospects for peace.
UN Arranges Remote Participation
Because Abbas will not be able to travel to New York, the UN General Assembly has voted to allow him to address the body through a pre-recorded video statement.
The contrast between Washington’s decision to permit Iran’s core delegation to participate in person and its continued visa restrictions on Palestinian officials is expected to draw attention during the upcoming high-level UN meetings.
The UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week is scheduled to bring together heads of state and government and senior officials from around the world for discussions on major international political, security and economic issues.
BY: The Times Union
