Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Iran Defends UN Assembly Attendance Amid US Visa Restrictions
Iran wants to attend an important United Nations meeting in New York.
Iranian spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says attending is a legal right, not a special favor.
He says Iranian representatives need to speak about their country’s views.
Baghaei also says others are trying to stop the Iranian delegation from attending.
The United States says it will give visas to Iran’s main delegation.
However, the delegation will be smaller than it was last year.
US President Donald Trump plans to discuss Iran’s nuclear program at the meeting.
He will also meet leaders from Gulf countries in New York.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei called attendance at the 81st UNGA session a legal right.
Baghaei said Iran’s representatives must attend to present the Iranian people’s positions.
He accused the other side of using obstruction and negative propaganda to block Iran’s participation.
The US State Department said visas would be issued to Iran’s core delegation.
The United States said the delegation would be smaller than last year as Donald Trump prepares to focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
- Who
- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, Iran’s delegation, the United States, and US President Donald Trump.
- What
- Iran is defending its participation in the 81st United Nations General Assembly session after the United States said it would issue visas to a smaller core delegation.
- When
- The UNGA session is scheduled for next week; Trump is scheduled to address it on Tuesday, while the US visa statement was issued on Thursday.
- Where
- The session will take place in New York.
- Why
- Iran says attendance is its legal right and necessary to present its positions; the United States cited its host-country obligations in issuing visas.
Iran’s Position
United States’ Position
Right to attend
Iran’s Position
Iran says participation in the UNGA is a legal right and that it must not abandon the international forum.
United States’ Position
The United States says it will issue visas to Iran’s core delegation in accordance with its host-country obligations.
Size of the delegation
Iran’s Position
Iran opposes efforts that it says obstruct or limit its participation.
United States’ Position
The US State Department says Iran’s delegation will be smaller than last year.
Focus of the meeting
Iran’s Position
Iran wants to use the event to present what it calls the Iranian people’s rightful positions.
United States’ Position
The United States plans to place Iran’s nuclear ambitions at the center of its UN diplomacy.
- Event
- 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly
- Iranian position
- Attendance is a legal right, not a favor.
- Iranian representative
- Esmaeil Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman
- US visa policy
- Visas will be issued to Iran’s core delegation.
- Delegation size
- The US State Department said the delegation will be smaller than last year.
- Trump’s schedule
- Donald Trump is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.
- Planned discussions
- Trump plans to focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and meet Gulf Cooperation Council leaders.