Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday, local time, to lead his country’s diplomatic delegation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Araghchi said the central purpose of the visit was to present Iran’s case on an international stage at a time of continuing regional tension. Speaking to reporters in New York on Monday night, at the start of his visit, he said: “Our most important objective is to use a major international platform to defend the legitimacy, rights, and interests of the Iranian people”.
He also described the delegation’s purpose in broader terms, saying its foremost task at this year’s assembly was to defend the righteousness, rights and interests of the Iranian nation.
The foreign minister said the trip followed a war and subsequent developments. He said it was taking place “in a situation that, in truth, continues as a state of war”.
Araghchi left Iran on Sunday evening and travelled via Qatar before arriving in New York. After his arrival, he spoke by telephone with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Esmaeil Baqaei, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, described Araghchi as the “head of a diplomatic delegation” in a post on X. Baqaei said the minister “will hold talks and consultations with numerous officials and foreign ministers attending the session”.
Those discussions are expected to include the latest regional developments during the General Assembly’s High-Level Week. The ministry has not identified the officials or foreign ministers Araghchi is expected to meet, and no detailed agenda for bilateral or wider consultations has been set out.
President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected to arrive on Tuesday for the UN General Assembly. A diplomat confirmed to The National that Pezeshkian is expected to attend, as he did last year and in 2024.
The visit brings Iran’s senior diplomatic and political leadership to the annual UN gathering while the government seeks to make its case on regional developments. It remains unclear what, if any, agreements or specific outcomes may emerge from Araghchi’s meetings.
Comments (0)