Iran22 September, 20263 min read
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Meets British Counterpart on UNGA Sidelines
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Araghchi’s main goal at UNGA is defending the rights and interests of the Iranian nation. The visit frames UNGA as a platform to defend Iran amid US-Israeli aggression.
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Araghchi Meets Britain
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met his British counterpart on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, as the Iranian foreign ministry delegation continued its diplomatic contacts in New York. Araghchi also held talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, with the discussions focused on prospects for developing bilateral political, economic and cultural ties between Iran and Tajikistan. Araghchi met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss maintaining communication channels and resolving differences through peaceful means.
Sybiha wrote on X that “Our conversation focused on joint steps aimed at preventing further escalation of tensions between our countries,” after following up on a July telephone call with Araghchi. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on August 10 that Ukraine had failed to convince Tehran that the strike was unintentional, and he stressed that Ukraine “must certainly compensate” Iran for the attack.
US-Iran UNGA Talks
The United States and Iran engaged in hours of indirect talks through mediators on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and accounts differed over whether officials from the two countries met directly. US special envoy Steve Witkoff said mediators had “shuttled between” the American and Iranian delegations throughout Tuesday, and he said the mediators “will continue their work.” President Donald Trump told reporters at the UN that Witkoff and Jared Kushner had held a three-hour meeting with Iranian officials, saying “They had a very good meeting, a very productive meeting.”
Al Jazeera reported that Iranian state media confirmed a meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Witkoff after weeks without direct contact, and it said the meeting was aimed at conveying Iran’s messages and conditions, particularly around reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Al Jazeera account said Iranian state media listed conditions including lifting the US naval blockade, releasing frozen Iranian assets and ending the war on what Tehran describes as the “resistance” fronts.
Pezeshkian Heads to UNGA
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian vowed on Tuesday to firmly defend his country's positions in international forums as he departed Tehran for New York to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Pezeshkian told Iranian state television, “We emerged with our heads held high, and this is a source of dignity and pride for all of us. Therefore, we will firmly defend our positions in international forums,” and he said he would make the best possible use of the opportunity to convey Iran's plight to the international community.
Kurdistan 24 reported that the United States approved the UN visit for part of the Iranian delegation despite the war, but it said the group would be subject to movement restrictions, including a ban on purchasing luxury goods or certain other products during their New York stay.
Kurdistan 24 said Pezeshkian’s communications team was not authorized to travel, having been denied visas, and it described the barring of the communications team as hostile.
Mehr News Agency quoted Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi saying the Iranian delegation's foremost purpose at the 81st UN General Assembly was to take the world stage and defend the righteousness, rights and interests of the Iranian nation after a cowardly war of aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime.