Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian Arrives in New York for UN General Assembly

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York on the evening of September 22 to attend the high-level week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He is scheduled to address the General Debate at the UN General Assembly on the morning of September 23 local time.

Pezeshkian’s visit includes participation in UN-related events and expected bilateral meetings with leaders from several countries attending the General Assembly. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York earlier and is also taking part in diplomatic activities surrounding the high-level week.

The Iranian president’s visit comes at a particularly tense moment in relations between Tehran and Washington. The UN General Assembly has consequently become an important international forum for discussions over regional security, diplomacy and the ongoing conflict. The United States had previously approved visas for senior Iranian officials, including Pezeshkian and Araghchi, to attend the UN gathering, while imposing restrictions on the Iranian delegation’s activities in the United States.

Before departing for New York, Pezeshkian said Iran would use the opportunity to present its position to the international community. Iranian officials have also indicated that Tehran remains interested in diplomatic channels for addressing the regional situation.

Diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States have already taken place in New York. On September 22, Araghchi met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during the UN General Assembly. The meeting lasted approximately three hours and included discussions concerning the Strait of Hormuz and broader regional developments. Reuters reported that a senior Iranian official said Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the United States reduced military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump remained open to meeting Pezeshkian, although no such meeting had been scheduled at the time. Reuters, citing an Iranian official, reported that Pezeshkian did not plan to meet Trump during his visit to New York.

As the 81st UN General Assembly high-level week continues, Pezeshkian’s address and Iran’s diplomatic contacts with other participating countries are being closely watched. His speech, together with ongoing diplomatic exchanges in New York, is expected to provide further insight into Tehran’s position and the prospects for continued diplomatic engagement amid heightened regional tensions.