Iran Says UN Attendance Is a Legal Right, Not a US-Granted Privilege

TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran will not relinquish its right to attend the United Nations General Assembly, describing participation in the annual gathering as a legal entitlement rather than a favor extended by the United States, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

According to IRNA, Baqaei stressed that attending the UN meeting in New York is not a "privilege" granted by Washington, framing Iran's presence at the assembly as grounded in international law and the country's standing as a UN member state.

The remarks, cited by IRNA, come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, which have periodically included disputes over visa issuance and travel restrictions for Iranian officials seeking to attend UN sessions held on US soil.

IRNA did not provide additional details on the specific context or date of Baqaei's statement, nor did it specify whether the comments were made in response to a particular incident involving Iranian delegation travel or visa matters.

Iran has in the past accused Washington of using visa restrictions as a form of pressure against Iranian diplomats and officials attempting to participate in UN General Assembly proceedings, which are held annually at UN headquarters in New York.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson's comments underscore Tehran's position that its participation in UN bodies is a matter of international obligation and legal right, independent of bilateral relations with any host country.