The United States has denied a visa to Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that would have allowed him to attend a UN Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday, a US official said.


Monday's comments by the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, came as tensions escalate between the two countries after the US killed Iran's most prominent military commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad on Friday.

US imposes sanctions on Iranian Minister Javad Zarif
Under the 1947 UN "headquarters agreement," the US is generally required to allow access to the UN for foreign diplomats. But Washington says it can deny visas for "security, terrorism and foreign policy" reasons.

The US State Department declined to comment immediately.

Iran's mission to the UN said: "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."

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric declined to comment on the apparent visa denial.

Zarif wanted to attend a meeting of the Security Council on Thursday on the topic of upholding the UN Charter. The meeting and Zarif's travel had been planned before the escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticise the US for killing Soleimani.

Iran's ambassador to the UN, Majid Takht Ravanchi, has described the killing of Soleimani as "an obvious example of state terrorism and, as a criminal act, constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international law, including, in particular ... the Charter of the United Nations."

Zarif last travelled to New York in September for the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN - after the US sanctioned him for implementing "the reckless agenda of Iran's Supreme Leader."

Zarif - Rouhani
The last time Zarif was at the UN was in September when he accompanied President Hassan Rouhani to the 74th General Assembly meeting [File: Justine Lane/EPA]
The sanctions block any property or interests Zarif has in the US, but he says he has none.

Zarif also attended UN meetings in April and July. During his July visit, Washington imposed tight travel restrictions on Zarif and diplomats at Iran's mission to the UN, confining them to a small section of New York City.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier on Monday.

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement the pair discussed events in the Middle East and that Pompeo "expressed his appreciation" for Guterres' diplomatic efforts.

I foresee more interesting theories between these dual in coming months

The beginning of policy of attrition against Iran. Let's see who blinks first.

wetin Iran dey find for USA again na.

United Nations meeting kill them dia.

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They want to silent Iran. But Iran too stubborn

I watched the funeral video of Soleimani and saw the number one man in Iran in tears. It was an emotional something.

USA should even think of deporting every Iranian residing in America as they are potential suicide bombers and terrorists.. whether citizenship or immigrants..

VERY GOOD.

USA is definitely breaching the UN agreement. Why would you want the victim out of the UN security meeting? You dont want them to talk? US doesn't want he truth out

ABINTUK:
wetin Iran dey find for USA again na.
United Nations meeting kill them dia.

EYE OF SATAN.

ABINTUK:
wetin Iran dey find for USA again na.
United Nations meeting kill them dia.

IS THAT MAMA TARABA?

ABINTUK:
wetin Iran dey find for USA again na.

United Nations meeting kill them dia.

That MUST BE BRUTE HIGH(BRUTE EYE).

God bless America

Terrorists should not be allowed into America or any western country.

gloriaunobi:
They want to silent Iran. But Iran too stubborn

ELSAKSAKY HAS SWALLOWED WITCH. HE'S A SHIITS BOKOHARAM.

Almost everything in this earth has USA blueprint written on them..

There's a reason they are world power.

America should leave the fight for only South Dakota to fight.

Charmingrascal:
I watched the funeral video of Soleimani and saw the number one man in Iran in tears. It was an emotional something.

Cro co co co co co die. Elsaksaky, BODEJO AND EVERY BOKOHARAM CAUGHT should die with QUASEM. It's an Insult that Bokoharam has rampaged NIGERIA thus far. Then Elsaksaky and Fulani Herdsmen (Bodejo's group) are just aggravating the INSULT.

As expected that what a bully would do... So I'm not supprised.

Iran needs to open and start a back talk channel with Trump now(there could be one already)that's the only way out for them. Trump wants to talk to Iran and Iran wants the same thing but the deepstate is holding Iran back. Kerry is telling Iran to wait Trump out, if they follow this advice, it will not help them. Any negotiation after November will only be on US interest 110%, if in doubt, ask China.

No, many Iranians are against the govt and have been celebrating and thanking Trump. Iranians have been protesting the govt for months, Solemani ordered protesters killed.
Iranian govt killed almost 2,000 Iranians in December alone just for protesting. But now forcing schools to close and students ordered out on the streets for Solemani processions and mourning.

There's an Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad, check some of her stories out.

DonFreshmoney:
USA should even think of deporting every Iranian residing in America as they are potential suicide bombers and terrorists.. whether citizenship or immigrants..