U.S. Approves Iran Visas, Denies Abbas for Second Year

Despite ongoing tensions and mutual threats, the United States has approved visas for senior Iranian regime officials, President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, ahead of next week's UN General Assembly convening in New York. At the same time, Washington has rejected the visa application of Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) for the second consecutive year.

The State Department announced it had issued visas to Iran's "core delegation" without specifying names. American officials speaking to the Associated Press confirmed the visas were granted to Pezeshkian and Araghchi, who are seen as more pragmatic within the Islamic Republic.

According to the State Department's statement, the Iranian delegation will be "smaller than last year's" and will operate under travel restrictions. "The delegation will face prohibitions on purchasing luxury goods and other items in accordance with our policy," the announcement stated.

At last year's assembly, which took place after Operation Lion's Roar but following the American strike on nuclear facilities (Operation Midnight Hammer), limited visas were also approved for Iranian diplomats, though they faced unusual movement restrictions, including bans on luxury purchases and confinement to essential areas of the city only.

The planned gathering will also feature a meeting between President Donald Trump and Gulf states on "post-war ideas." The AP noted that the United States, as host nation of UN headquarters, is somewhat limited in its ability to prevent foreign leaders from attending the General Assembly, but that doesn't stop it from rejecting visa applications.

Abbas Rejected for Second Time

The State Department accused the Palestinian Authority of "internationalizing" the war between Israel and Hamas by advancing measures at The Hague tribunals (the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice), paying Palestinian terrorists imprisoned in Israel, and seeking to advance unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

Additionally, Washington's statement cited "the Authority's failure to implement reforms—contrary to commitments given to the United States" and "ongoing actions that undermine prospects for peace." At the same time, it was clarified that the existing exemption for personnel at the permanent Palestinian UN mission will remain in effect.

The Palestinian Authority attacked the decision: "Punitive measures and restrictions imposed on Palestinian officials do not contribute to advancing peace or combating violence. The bottom line is they encourage forces working to undermine the two-state solution and impose the reality of occupation, settlement, and annexation by force."

Reuters noted that the 193 General Assembly members will vote on allowing Abbas to submit a recorded statement, as happened last year. Last month it was reported that in light of the anticipated decision, Abbas even reached out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, asking him to intervene and persuade President Trump to reverse the decision. However, it was already claimed then that the administration had no intention of changing its position on the matter.