USA20 September, 20262 min read
Masoud Pezeshkian Arrives in New York for UN General Assembly Amid US-Iran War
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York for UNGA. The United States approved visas for Iran's core delegation to attend UNGA.
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Pezeshkian heads to UNGA
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York to address the UN General Assembly as the US-Iran war continues. President Donald Trump told the UN General Assembly he faced a "big decision to make" on whether to make a deal with Iran or "annihilate the Islamic Republic". Pezeshkian’s address is expected to come a day after Trump’s remarks, and the UN General Assembly is set to host an additional appearance by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.
Netanyahu is scheduled to speak Thursday, and the dispute with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani escalated after Netanyahu responded in a video posted on social media saying, "Shame on you for inciting riots against New York Jews." Mayor Zohran Mamdani rejected Netanyahu’s criticism, saying the prime minister is "the subject of an International Criminal Court warrant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity."
Diplomacy and walkouts
Iran’s president is due to address the UN General Assembly as Iran is expected to press its case over the conflict and seek diplomacy aimed at easing tensions. Steve Witkoff said US and Iranian delegations held lengthy talks on the sidelines through mediators, after Trump warned he faced a choice between annihilating Iran or making a deal. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi communicated through Qatari mediators with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on the sidelines of the General Assembly, and the talks discussed how Tehran and Washington could resume peace talks.
Esmail Baghaei said the Iranians had demanded a halt to the war and the lifting of the naval blockade on ports, according to state media. The Iranian delegation walked out during Trump’s speech, which included threats against Iran, according to FRANCE 24.
What the UN week means
The UN General Assembly is gathering world leaders in New York for the 81st session, and the speaker lineup includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. CNN said the UN General Assembly is made up of all 193 United Nations members, which vote on important international issues and take part in high-level debates. The New York Times said Pezeshkian is the first leader whose country is at war with the United States to travel to New York to address the General Assembly.
The New York Times reported that Pezeshkian is being protected by the Secret Service, as per protocol, and that he was cruising through Manhattan in convoys of S.U.V.s. The New York Times added that the United Nations provides Iran a stage it cannot afford to ignore, after Trump said he was facing two choices: to strike a deal with Iran or to "annihilate" it.