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Irabwire – The Iranian foreign minister has said he will miss a key meeting on Gaza at UN headquarters on November 29, blaming the late issuance of US visas for his delegation.
“The Americans issued visas for me and all my companions at 1:00 a.m. (2130 GMT),” Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said after a cabinet meeting.
He said the delay meant it was “not possible” for the Iranian delegation to attend a Security Council meeting in New York on the war between Israel and Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which is due to begin at 1430 GMT.
US officials did not immediately comment on the claim.
Despite his absence from the meeting, the Iranian government would exert “all efforts” for an extension to a humanitarian truce deal in Gaza, the minister said.
The Iran-backed Hamas is due to release more Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners before the six-day truce expires early on November 30.
The United States is required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats.
In 2020, Tehran accused Iranian authorities of refusing a visa to then-Foreign Minister Javad Zarif for a visit to UN headquarters.
Iran and the United States have had no formal diplomatic ties since 1980.
