Iran foreign minister arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday to lead Tehran's diplomatic delegation at the United Nations General Assembly, according to the country's foreign ministry. This marks the first time a senior Iranian official has entered the United States since the Middle East conflict escalated with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.

Upon his arrival, Araghchi spoke with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the phone to discuss the General Assembly's agenda. He informed Iranian journalists that the primary objective was to utilize the international platform to advocate for the rights, interests, and legitimacy of the Iranian people.

Initially, Iranian state media had reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian would head the delegation, and the US had allegedly refused visas to members of his team, including the communications staff. However, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei clarified that Araghchi was leading the diplomatic delegation and would engage in talks and consultations with officials and foreign ministers present at the gathering.

Despite the US granting an Iranian delegation access to the UN assembly, restrictions have been imposed. For instance, participants cannot purchase luxury goods or other items during their stay in New York City, as announced by the state department. Araghchi departed Iran on Sunday evening, stopping in Qatar before arriving in New York.

Iran has communicated to the US, through Qatar acting as a mediator, conditions for reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed since the conflict began. In response, the United States has implemented a counterblockade on Iranian ports.