US Imposes Travel Bans on Iranian Diplomats Living in New York
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The United States has tightly restricted the travel of more than a dozen Iranian diplomats and their families living in New York, according to a US diplomatic note sent to the Iran mission to the United Nations.
The diplomats are subjected to the same rules imposed by the United States on Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who arrived on Sunday amid heightened tensions between the two countries, Reuters reported.
They may only travel between the United Nations, the Iranian UN mission, the Iranian UN ambassador’s residence and John F. Kennedy airport. There is also a carve-out for the six blocks surrounding Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City in the borough of Queens. It was not immediately clear why.
The July 12 diplomatic note said the travel rules, which are open-ended, apply to “all members of the permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations, their immediate family members, and representatives of the Iranian government to the United Nations.”
It said a waiver would be required from US State Department Office of Foreign Missions for any other travel and requests must be made at least five days in advance. The Iranian UN mission is also required to submit residential and hotel accommodations for approval.
A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday Zarif’s work in New York was unaffected.
The United Nations said on Monday that it told the United States it was concerned by the new tight travel restrictions.
The US diplomatic note said Zarif was “being admitted to the United States for the sole purpose of attending UN meetings” and that “he should restrict his activities to UN-related business only.
Zarif is due to attend a ministerial meeting at the UN on Wednesday on sustainable development goals, which aim to tackle issues including conflict, hunger, equality and climate change by 2030.
