US Allows Iranian Leaders to Attend UN General Assembly Despite Ongoing War

The United States has granted visas to senior Iranian officials to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite the war between Washington and Tehran entering its seventh month.

The core Iranian delegation is expected to include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to people familiar with the decision.

A US State Department spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that the Iranian delegation would be allowed to attend the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. However, the officials will face restrictions on their movements and purchases while in the United States.

“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 spokesperson said.

The delegation will be subject to travel restrictions and prohibited from purchasing certain luxury and other goods under existing US policy. Washington also said the Iranian delegation would be smaller than the one that attended last year.

The decision comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues with no immediate resolution in sight. The war, which began in February, has affected energy markets and spread beyond the two countries, with military activity involving neighbouring states.

The US decision reflects Washington’s obligations as the host country of the United Nations headquarters in New York. US officials have previously imposed strict limits on the movements of Iranian diplomats attending UN meetings.

Last year, Iranian officials were restricted from travelling beyond designated areas around the UN and Iranian mission in New York without permission. They were also prohibited from shopping at certain wholesale stores and faced restrictions on purchases of luxury items such as jewellery, alcohol and vehicles.

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is already underway, with the General Debate, the main gathering of world leaders, scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Pezeshkian is expected to address the assembly as Iran seeks to present its position on the war and wider international issues. His attendance will place senior Iranian and US officials in the same international setting despite the ongoing military confrontation.

The visa decision also comes amid continuing diplomatic tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the two sides having sharply different positions on the conflict and other regional security issues.