Amid tensions, US denies visa to Iranian Foreign Minister
(Baonghean.vn) - A source from a US official said that Washington has refused to grant a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. This will determine whether Mr. Zarif can attend the United Nations Security Council meeting in New York scheduled to take place on Thursday (January 9).
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| Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Photo: Reuters |
The latest news comes as tensions are escalating between the US and Iran, after Iran's top military commander - Major General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a US-led missile strike in Baghdad last Friday.
Under a 1947 agreement, the United States is responsible for granting foreign diplomats access to UN headquarters for meetings. But Washington says it can deny a visa to someone based on security, terrorism or the foreign policy of the current government.
The US State Department declined to comment on the report. UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric also declined to comment on the matter.
“We have seen the reports and information from the media, but we have not received any official information from the US side regarding the issuance of a visa to Foreign Minister Zarif.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif is pinning his hopes on Thursday's preparatory meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which was planned before tensions flared between Washington and Tehran. Observers say the meeting is an opportunity for Zarif to publicly criticize the United States over Soleimani's death at a global forum.
Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Majid Takht Ravanchi described the killing of General Soleimani as a clear example of terrorism, a criminal act, violating the fundamental principles of international law, especially the UN Charter.
The last time Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif visited New York was in September last year to rally support from world leaders, after the US imposed sanctions on him personally, for realizing the agenda of Iran's supreme leader.
Previously, Foreign Minister Zarif also attended UN meetings in April and July. During the July visit, Washington also imposed tight travel restrictions on Foreign Minister Zarif and Iranian diplomats working at the UN.
In another development, yesterday - Monday, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had a conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. US State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that the two sides discussed the situation in the Middle East, and that Mr. Pompeo expressed his appreciation for Mr. Guterres' recent diplomatic efforts.