US denies visas to members of Iranian President’s UN delegation

The United States has denied visas to some members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s delegation, including officials from his communications team, ahead of his planned trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian state media reported on Monday.

Pezeshkian is expected to become the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the Middle East conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA described the visa decision as an unprecedented hostile move by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

It reported that Trump had denied visas to several members of Pezeshkian’s high-level delegation, including members of the president’s communications team.

The Mehr news agency also reported the development, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency. It said Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

The United States has authorised the Iranian delegation to travel for the General Assembly but plans to impose restrictions similar to those introduced during last year’s visit.

According to the US State Department, members of the Iranian delegation will, among other restrictions, be prohibited from purchasing luxury goods and certain other items while in the country.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of the delegation, departed Iran on Sunday evening and travelled to Qatar for a stopover.

The latest development comes amid heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments.

Iran said it had communicated conditions to the United States through Qatar, which is acting as a mediator, for reopening the strategic waterway that Tehran has restricted since the conflict began.

The US has responded by imposing a counterblockade on Iranian ports, further escalating tensions between the two countries.