Aragchi arrives in New York for UNGA

• Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday, one day ahead of President Masoud Pezeshkian, to lay groundwork for Iran's UN General Assembly delegation.
• En route, Araghchi stopped in Doha for talks with Qatari officials, who have mediated US-Iran tensions during the war.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday, a day ahead of President Masoud Pezeshkian, as Tehran's delegation prepared for a high-stakes appearance at the United Nations General Assembly under tight US travel restrictions.

Pezeshkian departed Tehran early Tuesday and will become the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the countries went to war after US and ‘Israeli’ strikes on Iran in February.

Araghchi flew to New York via Doha, where he held talks with Qatari officials, who have mediated between Washington and Tehran during the conflict. After landing in New York on Monday, he spoke by phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the General Assembly agenda, Iranian state media reported.

"Our most important objective is to use a major international platform to defend the legitimacy, rights, and interests of the Iranian people," Araghchi told Iranian journalists.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Araghchi would hold talks with "numerous officials and foreign ministers" during the session and described him as head of Iran's delegation.

H.E. Dr. Abbas Araghchi in New York ahead of President Pezeshkian — a new diplomatic battle unfolds at the UN, with public diplomacy in full play. pic.twitter.com/OW6pkh8TsD

— Iran In Hyderabad (@IraninHyderabad) September 22, 2026

The US State Department said Washington had authorized Iran's "core delegation," including Pezeshkian, to attend High Level Week but confirmed the group would be smaller than last year and would face restrictions on movement and on buying luxury goods, in line with sanctions policy. Iranian state media said Washington had denied visas to several delegation members, including communications staff.

Pezeshkian is due to address the General Assembly on Wednesday and hold bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, as well as separate talks with Iranian expatriates and U.S. think tank representatives, according to state media.

Before leaving Tehran, Pezeshkian said Iran would "powerfully defend our positions in international forums," adding the country had emerged from recent hardships "with our heads held high."

The visit comes against a tense regional backdrop. Houthi forces have made rapid gains in Yemen and stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on energy infrastructure and shipping, prompting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to press President Donald Trump for US intervention. 

Iran's military said Sunday it had information the US was preparing renewed action against Iran, and warned any strikes would trigger sustained retaliation against US bases and interests in the region.

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