Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif denied US visa

Tehran: The US has denied Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif a visa to attend the upcoming UN Security Council meeting, it was reported on Tuesday. In a statement on Tuesday, Zarif that his Ministry had “weeks ago” requested a visa to take part in the meeting on slated to be held on Thursday, the Tehran-based Press TV said in a report. Zarif rejected false claims by American officials that they did not have time to process the application.

“The Americans are trying to create the impression that our request to attend the meeting was put forth following the assassination of General Soleimani. He (Secretary of State Mike Pompeo) has told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that they couldn’t issue the visa due to a shortage of time. Whereas the request had been sent several weeks in advance,” he said.

The Minister added that Washington’s denial was an outright violation of the terms of a 1947 UN Headquarters agreement which requires the US to allow foreign officials into the country for UN affairs. (IANS)

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