Iran’s Araghchi Arrives in New York for UNGA Amid US Airline Sanctions Threat
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, as Washington threatened secondary sanctions against foreign companies supporting Iranian airlines’ international operations.
Araghchi is expected to hold consultations on regional developments during the UNGA High-Level Week, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA reported. His arrival precedes that of President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is scheduled to leave for New York on Tuesday with a high-ranking delegation.
Pezeshkian to address UNGA
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly during its morning session on Wednesday, September 23. According to IRNA, he will outline Tehran’s position on international developments, including what Iran describes as a US-Israeli “war of aggression” against the country.
The Iranian President is also expected to meet world leaders and senior officials on the sidelines. His programme includes interactions with educated Iranians living in the United States, American opinion leaders and think tanks.
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However, IRNA reported that Washington had denied visas to some members of the Iranian delegation, including members of the President’s media team. The agency described the move as an “unprecedented hostile action”.
US threatens airline service providers
The diplomatic visit comes as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that foreign businesses continuing to service Iranian airlines could face exclusion from the dollar system from September 23.
According to Al Jazeera, Bessent said on Monday that “on September 23, all the Iranian airlines will be shut down around the world”.
His warning covers foreign airports, fuel suppliers, ticketing companies and other businesses supporting the carriers’ overseas operations.
“If they land, you cannot provide them with fuel, you cannot provide them with landing services, you cannot sell them tickets, or you will be knocked out of the dollar system,” Bessent said, according to Al Jazeera.
The threatened measures could restrict Iranian carriers’ international operations by targeting companies that provide essential services. They form part of the Trump administration’s broader sanctions campaign to limit Tehran’s access to international financial and commercial networks.
The 81st UNGA session is being held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All”. The general debate is scheduled for September 22–26 and September 28, with high-level meetings also covering climate action, development, sea-level rise and pandemic preparedness.
With inputs from ANI