Iran wants the U.N. to intervene on its behalf over what it says are the Trump administration’s unduly restrictive measures placed on Tehran’s delegation in New York.
A statement this week from Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemns the U.S. government’s actions to “prevent” three staffers from Iran’s U.N. office from “continuing their work.”
The Iranians called it “the peak of lawlessness” and a violation of the host country’s commitments to the U.N.
Iranian officials said the decision is based on “unfounded arguments and baseless claims” that amount to a “clear sign of hostility” from U.S. officials toward Tehran.
Iran didn’t elaborate on the restrictions imposed by Washington, but in September the State Department confirmed it was halting Tehran’s U.N. delegation’s access to “wholesale club stores and luxury goods” while in New York.
“We will not allow the Iranian regime to allow its clerical elites to have a shopping spree in New York while the Iranian people endure poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and dire shortages of water and electricity,” the State Department said.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also suppressed the Iranian delegation’s travel, restricting its movement to and from the U.N. headquarters to conduct official business.
“The security of Americans is always our priority, and the United States will not allow the Iranian regime to use [the U.N. General Assembly] as an excuse to travel freely in New York to promote its terrorist agenda,” the State Department said.
Tehran accused Washington of abusing its position to pressure U.N. members, which it called a direct violation of the international organization’s hosting agreement. The Foreign Ministry called on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to “prevent the continuation of lawbreaking and infringement of Iran’s legal rights.”
