US grants visas to Iran's Pezeshkian, Araghchi for UNGA amid war with Tehran

The US has approved visas for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of Tehran’s core delegation to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite the two countries remaining locked in a war that is entering its seventh month.The State Department said the decision was consistent with Washington’s obligations as the host country of the UN, but stressed that the Iranian delegation would face restrictions during its stay. The delegation will be subject to limits on movement and barred from purchasing luxury and certain other goods.The move comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with the conflict having disrupted energy markets and expanded beyond Iran’s borders since it began in February.Iran delegation to face restrictions“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 State Department said.It added that the delegation would be placed under travel restrictions and face prohibitions on the purchase of luxury and other goods under existing US policy. The department also said Iran’s delegation would be smaller than last year’s.The US has previously imposed restrictions on Iranian officials attending the UN. Last year, Iranian diplomats were barred from shopping at wholesale clubs such as Costco and required permission to purchase luxury items including jewellery, alcohol and cars.US warns against ‘shopping sprees’State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott criticised Iranian officials over their planned visit, accusing them of seeking to use the UN General Assembly for luxury shopping while ordinary Iranians face economic hardships.“While ordinary Iranians endure brutal repression, water and electricity shortages, and soaring inflation, the regime's officials want to go on shopping sprees in New York. Not on our watch,” Pigott said in a post on X.He added that the US would continue to prohibit Iranian UN Mission officials, visiting officials and their dependents from buying wholesale club memberships or luxury goods.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.