Washington announced on Saturday that it has issued visas to senior members of Iran's delegation, enabling their participation in the United Nations General Assembly scheduled to open later this month. The decision, confirmed by the U.S. State Department, follows a review of the applicants' eligibility under UN protocols and does not alter existing U.S. sanctions against Tehran.
The visas were granted to Iran's foreign minister and two other high‑ranking officials who will lead the country's delegation at the UNGA. The move marks a shift from earlier refusals to issue travel permits to Iranian representatives, which had been cited by Tehran as a diplomatic obstacle.
In a brief statement, the State Department said the approvals were made "in accordance with the United Nations' invitation to member states to send their delegations" and emphasized that the visas are unrelated to any policy changes regarding sanctions or other bilateral measures.
Iran's foreign ministry responded positively, describing the visa approvals as a constructive step that could facilitate dialogue on regional and global issues. The ministry indicated that the delegation intends to use the UN platform to present Iran's positions on nuclear negotiations, regional security, and economic development.
U.S. officials noted that allowing Iranian officials to attend the General Assembly aligns with the United Nations' principle of inclusive participation, regardless of bilateral tensions. They added that the United States remains committed to engaging with all member states on multilateral forums while maintaining its existing policy framework toward Iran.
The United Nations General Assembly will convene in New York from September 24, bringing together heads of state, foreign ministers and other senior officials from nearly 200 member countries. The presence of Iran's top diplomats is expected to contribute to discussions on a range of topics, including climate change, sustainable development and global security.
Analysts observe that the visa approvals could signal a modest easing of diplomatic friction, though they caution that substantive policy shifts will depend on broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Al Jazeera — All News — original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/17/us-approves-visas-for-top-iranian-leaders-to-attend-un-general-assembly?traffic_source=rss.