Iran’s foreign minister arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi touched down in New York on Monday, heading the Tehran's diplomatic team at the UN General Assembly. This marks the first time a high-ranking Iranian official has visited the US since the conflict between the US and Israel escalated in February. An initial conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres followed his arrival, with Araghchi discussing the UN General Assembly's agenda.

"The primary goal is to utilize a major international platform to champion the legitimacy, rights, and interests of the Iranian people," Araghchi conveyed to Iranian journalists. Initially, Iranian media claimed President Masoud Pezeshkian would lead the delegation, but Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei clarified Araghchi's role as the head of a diplomatic delegation during the General Assembly.

The US has given Iran permission to attend, yet has imposed restrictions, such as the prohibition of luxury goods purchases during their stay. Iran plans to negotiate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an oil and gas shipping lane it has blocked since the war began, and the US is retaliating with a counterblockade of Iranian ports.