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The US Secret Service is providing security for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, according to US officials cited by CNN.
Other members of the Iranian delegation are being protected by the US State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service.
The federal security agencies are being supported by the New York Police Department (NYPD), including its Intelligence Bureau, detectives and highway patrol escorts, CNN reported.
Pezeshkian arrived in New York on Tuesday to attend the UN General Assembly, where he is scheduled to address world leaders. His visit comes amid continuing hostilities between Washington and Tehran, although diplomatic contacts between the two sides have continued. Reuters reported that the US had agreed to allow Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi to attend the UN meeting under the United States’ obligations as host country.
The Iranian delegation is subject to strict movement restrictions while in the United States. According to CNN, Iranian officials must remain within designated areas around the UN headquarters, the Iranian UN mission and John F Kennedy International Airport unless they receive prior approval from the US State Department to travel elsewhere.
The security arrangement is notable because the US and Iran remain adversaries. Nevertheless, as the host country of the UN headquarters, Washington generally has obligations under the 1947 UN Headquarters Agreement to facilitate access for foreign diplomats attending UN proceedings. Reuters reported that the US has also cited security, terrorism and foreign-policy considerations as grounds for restricting or denying visas in some cases.
Pezeshkian’s visit comes as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to explore a possible diplomatic settlement. Reuters reported that an Iranian delegation in New York has authority to pursue negotiations, while Tehran has proposed steps linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities.
