Iranian Delegation Approved for UN General Assembly...Saudi Arabia Proposes Ceasefire to Houthis (Comprehensive)

Iranian Leadership, Including President, Set to Visit U.S.
Growing Hopes for Resumed Negotiations During UN General Assembly

Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran

The U.S. State Department has approved the attendance of the Iranian delegation at the United Nations General Assembly, scheduled to take place at UN Headquarters in New York on the 22nd (local time). The Iranian side plans to send a leadership team centered around President Masoud Pezeshkian. As the Iranian president, whose country is at war with the United States, is making a rare attempt to visit the U.S., expectations are rising that both sides will make efforts to resume negotiations. In addition, it has been reported that Saudi Arabia, which had been engaged in conflict with the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen, has proposed a two-week ceasefire to the Houthi side.

The U.S. State Department Approves Entry of Iranian Delegation to UN General Assembly...Iranian President Makes Rare Visit to the U.S.

United Nations Headquarters website

According to the Associated Press on the 17th (local time), the U.S. State Department announced that it had issued conference visas to a high-level Iranian delegation planning to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The core members of the Iranian delegation reportedly include President Pezeshkian and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Citing U.S. State Department sources, the Associated Press reported, "In accordance with our obligations as the host country, the Iranian regime’s top delegation will be able to attend high-level week at the UN General Assembly," adding that "the delegation will be subject to mobility restrictions and prohibited from purchasing luxury goods and other items."

President Pezeshkian is expected to use this General Assembly to directly explain the state of war and present Iran’s position to the international community, as well as to appeal for diplomatic support. Given the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, the granting of entry to Iran’s president is being described as highly unusual. Some observers suggest there may be a possibility of indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran resuming during this UN General Assembly.

Previously, there had been reports that U.S. President Donald Trump would discuss the issue of the war with Iran with delegations from Middle Eastern countries during the assembly. Axios quoted multiple sources as saying, "President Trump is seeking to meet with leaders or foreign ministers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in New York on the 22nd, during the UN General Assembly," adding that, "they plan to discuss the next stage of the war with Iran and the U.S. strategy for the Middle East following the end of the conflict."

"Saudi Arabia Proposes Two-Week Ceasefire to Houthi Rebels"

Associated Press Yonhap News

Saudi Arabia, which has been in conflict with the Houthi rebels in Yemen, is also reported to have proposed a ceasefire to the Houthi side. This move appears to be an attempt to temporarily suspend hostilities that could pose an obstacle to negotiations with Iran during the UN General Assembly.

Al Mayadeen, a pro-Hezbollah media outlet in Lebanon, quoted a senior source familiar with the matter: "Saudi Arabia has proposed a two-week ceasefire to the Houthi rebels through the Omani government in order to discuss solutions to humanitarian issues in Yemen," adding that "Saudi Arabia confirmed that details of the agreement on humanitarian issues are expected to be officially announced during the proposed ceasefire period."

The United States is also reported to have entered negotiations with the Houthi rebels before Saudi Arabia did. According to Reuters, representatives from the United States and the Houthis met last weekend at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman, under Omani mediation. Reuters said that the Houthi side informed the U.S. that they have no intention of attacking U.S. vessels and that they intend to abide by the ceasefire agreement concluded with the United States last year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.