US Grants Visas to Iranian Delegation for UN Assembly Amid War

The United States has approved visas for a core Iranian delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week, the State Department confirmed on Thursday, despite an ongoing war between the two nations that has entered its seventh month. The decision, made in line with U.S. obligations as host country for the U.N. headquarters, allows Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to participate in the high-level meetings. However, the delegation will be smaller than last year's and will face significant restrictions. According to the State Department, members will be subject to limits on their movements and a prohibition on purchasing luxury goods and other products. These measures are consistent with past U.S. policy for Iranian officials visiting New York for U.N. events. The approval for the Iranian delegation comes as the United States simultaneously denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the second consecutive year.