The visa application of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has reportedly been denied by the United States. Zarif had hoped to attend an upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting, which would violate the terms of a 1947 headquarters agreement mandating the U.S. to permit foreign officials entry for UN-related matters.
According to a diplomatic source familiar with the situation, Foreign Policy disclosed on Monday that Zarif had made a visa request several weeks ago to enter the U.S. for the Security Council meeting scheduled for January 9, focusing on the importance of upholding the UN Charter.
Nevertheless, a U.S. government official informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Zarif would not be allowed entry into the U.S., as reported by the Washington-based diplomatic source.
Both the U.S. State Department and the U.S. mission to the United Nations did not provide any response to inquiries regarding the situation or an explanation for the U.S.’s legal basis for denying Zarif’s entry into the country. Additionally, a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general declined to comment.
Responding to the reports, Iran’s mission to the United Nations stated, “We have seen the media reports but we have not received any official communication from either the US or the UN regarding Foreign Minister Zarif’s visa.”
Under the 1947 UN “headquarters agreement”, the U.S. is obligated to grant access to the UN for foreign diplomats. However, the U.S. contends that it can refuse visas for “security, terrorism, and foreign policy” reasons.
The upcoming UN forum on Thursday was set to offer Zarif an international platform to criticize the U.S. for the killing of Soleimani. Previously, Zarif has faced severe travel and economic restrictions imposed by the U.S., limiting his movements mainly to a small area of New York City.