Iranian President to Address UN Under Tight Travel Restrictions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the UN General Assembly in New York this week amid a nearly seven-month-old war with the US, but his delegation faces strict travel restrictions limiting movement to a hotel-UN route. The US State Department has restricted the Iranian delegation's movement since 2024, requiring permission for activities beyond the designated route. This arrangement is unusual as Washington hosts a leader from a country it is currently at war with, despite legal obligations under the 1947 UN headquarters agreement. Pezeshkian is expected to argue Iran acted in self-defence, and may meet think tank analysts. However, a major breakthrough appears unlikely, with no formal negotiations planned and UN officials suggesting serious dialogue would occur outside New York.