Iran and US flags
US denies visas to Iranian president's media team, AFP says
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- IRNA described the denial as an unprecedented hostile action by Washington.
The United States has refused to issue visas to the communications team of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, ruling them out of this week's trip to the UN General Assembly, according to Iranian state media.
The reports, which AFP relayed Monday, add a new point of friction to a visit already unfolding under unusual circumstances.
Iran's state broadcaster IRNA described the refusal as an unprecedented hostile action by Washington, saying the denials covered some members of the high-ranking delegation, including the president's media team.
Press TV, another Iranian outlet, said the move could limit coverage of Pezeshkian's trip.
The denials came after Washington cleared the top of the delegation. The State Department said it had approved visas for a scaled-down Iranian delegation for the high-level week of the 81st General Assembly, including Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to AP, as relayed by Pajhwok, visas went to Iran's "principal delegation" and essential staff, and officials said the delegation would be smaller than last year's.
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