US Grants Visas to Iranian Officials for UN Assembly, Restricts Movement

The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday it will grant entry visas to the United States for several senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to attend the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York. Despite the ongoing war, the U.S. stated that members of the Iranian delegation will be subject to movement restrictions during their stay.

"In accordance with our host country obligations, a senior delegation from the Iranian regime will be able to attend the UN General Assembly's week of deliberations, but will be subject to movement restrictions," the U.S. statement read. The delegation will also be smaller compared to the previous year.

This decision comes as the U.S. denied entry visas to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation for the second consecutive year, preventing their physical attendance at the UN General Assembly. Washington also extended visa restrictions for PA and PLO officials.

Consequently, the General Assembly, comprising 193 member states, is expected to vote on allowing Abbas to deliver a recorded speech next week instead of attending in person. He also participated via video last year after being denied a visa.

The U.S. cited the Palestinian Authority and PLO's international activities, including appeals to the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, and their pursuit of unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, as reasons for the visa restrictions. The U.S. administration also accused these Palestinian bodies of supporting terrorism.