TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday vowed to firmly defend his country’s positions on the international stage as he departed for New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly.
“We will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” Pezeshkian said before leaving Iran, according to footage broadcast by Iranian state television.
The Iranian president is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, where he is expected to present Tehran’s position on the ongoing conflict and its broader international concerns.
“We will make the best possible use of this opportunity to convey Iran’s plight to the international community,” Pezeshkian said, adding that the Iranian people had stood their ground despite what he described as unfairness and injustice.
US imposes restrictions on Iranian delegation
Pezeshkian is set to become the highest-ranking Iranian official to visit the United States since the Middle East war began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Washington has approved UN-related visits for part of the Iranian delegation despite the conflict, but members of the group will face movement restrictions while in New York, according to the US State Department.
The US has also denied visas to members of Pezeshkian’s communications team, preventing them from travelling with him.
Iranian presidential spokesperson Habibollah Abbassi described the decision as “hostile,” according to local media.
The United States has also said the Iranian delegation will not be permitted to purchase luxury goods or certain other items during its stay in New York.
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Strait of Hormuz remains key issue
The strategic Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The maritime corridor, through which around one-fifth of global hydrocarbon supplies passed before the war, has experienced severe disruption. Iran has fired on commercial vessels and demanded approval for ships seeking to pass through the waterway.
The United States, meanwhile, is maintaining a counterblockade of Iranian ports while increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Iran says it has conveyed conditions to the United States through Qatar, which is acting as a mediator, for reopening the strategically important oil and gas shipping route.
Araghchi holds talks with UN chief
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also travelled to New York for the annual UN gathering.
Iranian state media reported that Araghchi spoke by phone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres after arriving in New York and discussed the agenda of the General Assembly.
Araghchi said Iran’s main objective was to use the international forum to defend what he described as the legitimacy, rights and interests of the Iranian people.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Araghchi would hold talks and consultations with several officials and foreign ministers attending the session.
Araghchi left Iran on Sunday evening and stopped in Qatar before continuing to New York.
