US approves visas for Iranian leaders to attend UNGA, Palestine’s Abbas to address assembly remotely

The United States has approved visas for Iranian leaders to attend the United Nations General Assembly session in New York next week, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian scheduled to address the gathering on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the General Assembly via video link after the United States did not grant him a visa. The General Assembly approved a resolution allowing Abbas to deliver his address remotely.

The US State Department said the Iranian delegation would attend the General Assembly. A British newspaper reported that Washington had granted a visa to Pezeshkian, who is scheduled to speak during the high-level session.

However, Iranian officials travelling to the United States will face restrictions during their visit. A State Department spokesperson said the visiting Iranian officials would be barred from purchasing luxury goods and would not be permitted to take out memberships at clubs.

PM Shehbaz to lead Pakistan delegation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will also travel to New York to lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

According to the Foreign Office, Sharif will present Pakistan’s position on regional and global developments in his address to the General Assembly.

He is expected to highlight Pakistan’s priorities on sustainable development, climate change, counterterrorism, Islamophobia, global economic challenges, UN reforms and issues facing the Global South.

The prime minister will also draw the international community’s attention to the situations in Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

During his stay in the United States, Sharif will attend high-level events and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders and the UN secretary general. The meetings are expected to focus on Pakistan’s positions on regional peace, international cooperation and multilateralism.

After completing his visit to the United States, the prime minister will make another stop in London before returning to Pakistan.