US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced on 17/9 that the core Iranian government delegation would attend the United Nations General Assembly's High-Level Week. This decision fulfills US obligations as the host nation. However, the delegation faces travel restrictions and is prohibited from buying luxury items and other specified goods under US policy.

The US State Department indicated that this year's authorized Iranian delegation would be smaller than the previous year's. A US source familiar with the situation confirmed that President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to be part of the group receiving US visas.

The United Nations General Assembly's general debate is scheduled to commence on 22/9. President Pezeshkian is expected to deliver his address to the General Assembly on 23/9, one day after President Trump.

This visa decision follows seven months after the US and Israel initiated military action against Iran. Both nations remain entangled in a stalemate concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that once facilitated approximately 20% of global oil shipments before the conflict escalated.

On 17/9, President Donald Trump stated he is contemplating resuming large-scale attacks against Iran. "I'm about to make a big decision," Trump said. "Do I want to put troops in and totally eliminate them? That's a very important decision. For me, anything can happen."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the US military attacked 5 Iranian oil tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) last week. This action was in response to alleged attempts by the IRGC to target a US warship.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at his office in Tehran in 8/2024. Photo: AP

The US has historically imposed travel restrictions on Iranian delegations visiting New York. During the Trump administration, these restrictions expanded to prevent Iranian officials from accessing wholesale and luxury stores. Their movement was confined to "areas strictly necessary for transit to and from United Nations headquarters for official work," as stated by the US State Department.

Last month, an Iranian presidential protocol official stated that Tehran was evaluating the size and composition of its delegation for this year's United Nations General Assembly. The official deemed the conditions imposed by the US to be illegal.

By Huyen Le (Based on reporting from NBC News and Axios)