Trump administration grants Iranian officials restricted UN visas

Who can attend

The Trump administration has approved visas for Iranian officials to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York City. A State Department spokesperson said the core Iranian delegation would be admitted under the United States’ obligations as the U.N.’s host country.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are included in the delegation receiving visas. The State Department said the group will be smaller than Iran’s delegation last year.

Restrictions on the delegation

The Iranian officials will be allowed to travel only in areas needed to move to and from the U.N. headquarters district and conduct official U.N. business. They also will be prohibited from purchasing luxury items and other specified goods, including wholesale club memberships.

The Trump administration began applying the purchasing limits in 2025. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said Thursday that the restrictions apply to Iranian U.N. mission officials, visiting officials and their dependents.

An Iranian presidential protocol official said last month that Iran was still deciding the size and level of its attendance. The official called the U.S. conditions illegal but did not explain that objection.

Meeting comes during conflict

The visa decision comes seven months into the U.S. war with Iran. U.S. forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have continued attacks around the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for oil shipments.

U.S. Central Command said the American military struck five tankers linked to the Revolutionary Guard last week after attempted attacks on a U.S. warship. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he was considering whether to resume full-scale attacks against Iran.

The General Assembly’s general debate begins Tuesday, when Trump is expected to speak. Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the assembly Wednesday.