Pezeshkian Gets Green Signal for US Visit

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to travel to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly’s high-level meetings. The United States has approved visas for Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other members of Iran’s core delegation. The high level week of the UN General Assembly begins in New York on September 22. The US State Department said the decision was made in line with Washington’s obligations as the host country of the United Nations.

However, the Iranian delegation will face restrictions during its stay in New York, including limits on travel and movement as well as restrictions on purchasing luxury goods. The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Separately, Russia and China vetoed a US backed UN Security Council resolution seeking to extend the mandate of experts monitoring sanctions on Iran. The proposal failed with 11 votes in favour, two against and two abstentions. The veto did not lift the existing UN sanctions on Iran; it ended the mandate extension for the independent monitoring panel.