US denies visas to members of Iranian president’s UN delegation

According to the state news agency IRNA, the US government has refused to issue visas for certain members of the Iranian president's high-level delegation, including his communications team, in what Tehran has described as a hostile move. The Mehr news agency, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency, stated that Masoud Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. The US State Department has authorized the delegation's travel but, as it did last year, has barred members from purchasing luxury goods. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, part of the delegation, departed Iran on Sunday evening with a stopover in Qatar. Meanwhile, the Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters, affiliated with the armed forces of the regime ruling Iran, warned of painful attacks against US positions and interests in the region should Washington make any military move.