US denies visas to members of Iranian president's UN delegation as Trump threatens 'wiping Iran out'
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that the only options on the table were "wiping Iran out," or letting its economy "rot," unless the two sides reach a deal
The United States has refused to issue visas for members of Pezeshkian's delegation, including his communications team, ahead of this week's trip to the UN General Assembly, Iranian state media reported. "In an unprecedented hostile move by the US government, Trump has denied US visas to certain members of the president's high-level delegation, including members of his communications team," Iranian state news agency IRNA reported.
The Mehr news agency, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency, said Pezeshkian is set to address the assembly Wednesday.
The State Department has authorized the delegation's travel but, as it did last year, is barring members from purchasing luxury goods or other items. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, part of the delegation, left Iran on Sunday evening with a stopover in Qatar. Iran says it has conveyed conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to Washington via Qatar as mediator, even as the US maintains a counterblockade of Iranian ports.
Pezeshkian's attendance has fueled cautious hope for a diplomatic breakthrough, with stocks rising, oil prices easing and bond yields falling Monday. Trump has said he would be open to meeting the Iranian president during the assembly, which runs through September 26 and resumes September 28.
Iran's military, however, struck a different tone, warning of "painful" retaliation if Washington makes any military move. "If the US makes any mistake against the Islamic Republic of Iran, all its positions and interests in the region will be targeted by sustained, effective and painful attacks," the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters said, according to Iranian news agency Tasnim.