US Grants Visas to 2 Top Iranian Officials for UNGA as 7-Month War Drags On
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Sep 17
US Grants Visas to 2 Top Iranian Officials for UNGA as 7-Month War Drags On
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Sep 17
Summary
Masoud Pezeshkian and Abbas Araghchi are among the Iranian officials cleared to attend next week’s UN General Assembly in New York, with Washington saying it must meet host-country obligations.
The US said the core delegation will face travel limits and bans on buying luxury and certain other American goods; officials said the group is smaller than last year.
Tommy Pigott said the restrictions are meant to stop Iranian elites from using UNGA for shopping while Iran faces shortages, repression and high inflation, though he cited no specific purchase plans.
The decision lands as the war that began on 28 February enters its seventh month, having pushed up energy prices and spread into neighboring countries.
The visa approval also contrasts with Washington’s second straight refusal to grant UNGA visas to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation.