Iran says US refused visas to its media team for Pezeshkian’s UNGA visit

• The United States has denied visas to members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s communications team ahead of his visit to New York for the UN General Assembly.
• Pezeshkian and Iran’s core delegation have received US visas, while restrictions remain on some members of the wider delegation.

The United States has refused to issue visas to members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s media team ahead of his planned visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian state media reported Monday.

Habib Abbasi, director of public relations at the Iranian president’s office, said visa applications for members of the media team had been followed up, but the requests were ultimately not approved.

Abbasi described the decision as “an attempt to prevent the Iranian president’s voice and Iran’s narrative from reaching the world.”

The US has approved visas for Pezeshkian and members of Iran’s “core delegation” to attend the UN General Assembly, according to US officials cited by the Associated Press. The delegation includes Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while restrictions remain in place for some members of the wider delegation.

Iranian state media reported that Pezeshkian is scheduled to travel to New York on Tuesday and address the General Assembly on Wednesday.

The visit comes amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran following the outbreak of the US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran in February.

The United States has also imposed restrictions on the Iranian delegation’s activities while in New York, including limits on certain purchases, according to the US State Department.

The denial of visas to members of Pezeshkian’s media team has drawn criticism from Iranian officials, who say the restrictions could limit the delegation’s ability to communicate directly with international media during the UN meetings.

Pezeshkian’s visit comes as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over the conflict, sanctions and the wider regional situation, while diplomatic efforts continue through intermediaries.

The Iranian president is expected to use his address to present Tehran’s position before the UN General Assembly as world leaders gather for the annual high-level session.