Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed in New York on Monday, 22 September, to speak at the 81st UN General Assembly. He will seek to rally allies against a looming U.S. crackdown that threatens to shut Iranian airlines from international operations on 23 September.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that from 23 September, Iranian airlines would be barred from flights worldwide, targeting fuel suppliers, ticketing firms, and foreign airports that continue to support them. The announcement comes as Washington threatens secondary sanctions on any company that facilitates the carriers.
The delegation will hold consultations with UN officials, senior diplomats from 30 countries, and Iranian expatriates across the U.S., according to IRNA. And it will seek to secure diplomatic backing for Iran’s stance on the U.S.-Israeli conflict.
Washington denied visas to several high‑ranking members of the delegation, including media personnel, saying security concerns prevented their entry. The move was described by the U.S. as an unprecedented hostile action.
The UNGA high‑level debate runs from 22 to 26 September, with a formal session on sanctions slated for early October. If the U.S. follows through, the shutdown could disrupt millions of passengers and ripple through global travel networks.