NEW YORK — The United States has granted visas to Iranian officials, allowing the country’s delegation to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, a State Department spokesman said Thursday, as the war between the two countries grinds into its seventh month.According to the BBC, the core delegation permitted to attend includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.But the official added that the delegation will be smaller than last year. It will also face travel restrictions and prohibitions on purchases.“Consistent with our host country obligations, the core delegation from the Iranian regime will be able to attend UN General Assembly High Level Week,” the State Department spokesman said.”The delegation will be under travel restrictions and will face prohibitions on the purchase of luxury and other goods per our policy. The delegation is smaller than last year,” the spokesman added.US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran from late February sparked a war that has spread across the Middle East.Last year, diplomats attending from Iran were banned from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco. They also were required to seek permission from the US before purchasing luxury goods, including jewelry.State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said the US would prevent the diplomats from “going on shopping sprees” as the Iranian people deal with water and electricity shortages, “brutal repression”, and “soaring inflation”.”We will not let the Iranian regime’s elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid for by the Iranian people’s suffering, all while the regime funnels Iran’s wealth to support its terrorist proxies,” he posted on X, warning New York shops to “be on guard” against selling goods to the delegation.The 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is currently underway. The General Debate — the centrepiece of the annual event — is due to begin on Tuesday.Tuesday will include speeches from US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and French President Emmanuel Macron.Wednesday is expected to see speeches from the leaders of Ukraine, Syria and Iran.Public and political pressure has mounted on the White House to find an end to the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on the country.Since the war began, Iran has repeatedly attacked US bases and allied states in the Gulf, as well as Israel.The US denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian delegation to attend UNGA for a second year in a row.The US does not recognize the legitimacy of the Palestinian delegation.NEW YORK — The United States has granted visas to Iranian officials, allowing the country’s delegation to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week, a State Department spokesman said Thursday, as the war between the two countries grinds into its seventh month.According to the BBC, the core delegation permitted to attend includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.But the official added that the delegation will be smaller than last year. It will also face travel restrictions and prohibitions on purchases.“Consistent with our host country obligations, the core delegation from the Iranian regime will be able to attend UN General Assembly High Level Week,” the State Department spokesman said.”The delegation will be under travel restrictions and will face prohibitions on the purchase of luxury and other goods per our policy. The delegation is smaller than last year,” the spokesman added.US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran from late February sparked a war that has spread across the Middle East.Last year, diplomats attending from Iran were banned from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco. They also were required to seek permission from the US before purchasing luxury goods, including jewelry.State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said the US would prevent the diplomats from “going on shopping sprees” as the Iranian people deal with water and electricity shortages, “brutal repression”, and “soaring inflation”.”We will not let the Iranian regime’s elites exploit UNGA for a luxury retail splurge paid for by the Iranian people’s suffering, all while the regime funnels Iran’s wealth to support its terrorist proxies,” he posted on X, warning New York shops to “be on guard” against selling goods to the delegation.The 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is currently underway. The General Debate — the centrepiece of the annual event — is due to begin on Tuesday.Tuesday will include speeches from US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and French President Emmanuel Macron.Wednesday is expected to see speeches from the leaders of Ukraine, Syria and Iran.Public and political pressure has mounted on the White House to find an end to the conflict with Iran, which began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on the country.Since the war began, Iran has repeatedly attacked US bases and allied states in the Gulf, as well as Israel.The US denied a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian delegation to attend UNGA for a second year in a row.The US does not recognize the legitimacy of the Palestinian delegation.
US allows Iran delegation to attend UN meetings in New York
