ERBIL () — The United States has refused to issue visas to some members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s delegation, including members of his communications team, ahead of his planned trip to New York for this week’s United Nations General Assembly, Iranian state media reported Monday.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA described the decision as an “unprecedented hostile move” by the administration of US President Donald Trump, saying visas had been denied to members of Pezeshkian’s high-level delegation, including his communications team.
The Mehr news agency also reported the visa denials, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency.
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Sept. 23.
The US has nevertheless authorized Pezeshkian and other members of Iran’s core delegation to attend the UN General Assembly.
The State Department said the decision was consistent with Washington’s obligations as the host country of the United Nations, while warning that the Iranian delegation would face tighter travel restrictions.
The restrictions include limits on purchases, with the State Department saying members of the Iranian delegation will not be permitted to purchase luxury goods or certain other items during their stay.
Pezeshkian’s planned visit would make him the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the current Middle East war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of the delegation, left Iran on Sunday evening for a stopover in Qatar.
Tehran has been using Qatar as a mediator to convey conditions to Washington for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has restricted since the war began.
The United States, meanwhile, has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports, adding to tensions surrounding the strategically vital waterway and the broader conflict between Washington and Tehran.
