US approves visas for Iranian officials to attend United Nations General Assembly

The US State Department indicated on Thursday that it has approved visas for a small number of Iranian officials to attend the United Nations annual meeting known as the General Assembly (UNGA), which begins next week. The New York Times first reported the approvals, citing an emailed statement. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott had only shared a cryptic post on X suggesting some Iranian diplomats may be coming to New York City. "While ordinary Iranians endure brutal repression, water and electricity shortages, and soaring inflation, the regime's officials want to go on shopping sprees in New York. Not on our watch," he said.