US denies visas to Iran UN delegation members, state media says

The United States has refused visas for members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's delegation, including his communications team, ahead of his trip to the UN General Assembly this week, Iranian state media reported Monday. Pezeshkian will be the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the US since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes in February. State news agency IRNA called the move an "unprecedented hostile action" by President Donald Trump's administration. Mehr news agency confirmed the report, citing a presidency spokesperson, and noted Pezeshkian will address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. The US has authorized the delegation's travel but will impose restrictions, including banning purchases of luxury goods. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, also in the delegation, left for Qatar on Sunday. Iran has conveyed conditions via Qatar for reopening the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, which it has choked off since the war began, while the US is imposing a counterblockade of Iranian ports.