US Denies Visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Attempting to Attend UN Security Council Meeting

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, the U.S. government has denied a visa to the Iranian Foreign Minister who was scheduled to attend the United Nations Security Council.

On the 6th (local time), according to U.S. diplomatic media Foreign Policy (FP) and others, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Iranian Foreign Minister, was scheduled to attend the UN Security Council meeting on the 9th, but the Donald Trump administration refused to issue his visa.

FP pointed out that the U.S. administration's visa denial violates the 1947 UN "Headquarters Agreement," which allows foreign diplomatic officials visiting the U.S. for UN duties to enter the country.

Minister Zarif was expected to present Iran's position at the UN Security Council for the first time since the recent U.S. airstrike killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force.

It was reported that Minister Zarif had requested a discussion on the importance of the UN Charter several weeks ago.

The Trump administration reportedly informed UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres in advance that it would deny Minister Zarif's visa.

Meanwhile, Iran has declared it will retaliate harshly against the U.S. for the death of Commander Soleimani. Additionally, Iran announced that it will no longer abide by the freeze and restriction regulations on its nuclear program set by the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), effectively declaring its withdrawal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.