Iran Condemns US Diplomat Restrictions in New York as 'Illegal and Hostile'

Iran Denounces US Restrictions on UN Diplomats

The Islamic Republic of Iran has vehemently condemned the United States' intensified restrictions on its diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York, describing the measures as 'illegal and hostile'. Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Washington's actions constitute a blatant violation of international law and an abuse of its status as the host country for the UN headquarters. The condemnation comes amidst a backdrop of frozen diplomatic efforts between the two nations.

Details of the Imposed Restrictions

The restrictions, some of which were initially imposed in September during the UN General Assembly, have been further tightened. Iranian diplomats and their dependents are now prohibited from shopping at wholesale stores, including Costco, Sam's Club, or BJ's Club, and purchasing certain goods such as watches, jewelry, handbags, perfume, tobacco, and automobiles without special authorization from the U.S. Department of State. The Office of Foreign Missions of the U.S. Department of State considers diplomatic membership in wholesale stores and the ability to purchase these items as 'benefits' requiring government approval. Furthermore, the Iranian Foreign Ministry highlighted wider restrictions on diplomats' residences, bank accounts, and daily shopping, and stated that the U.S. State Department was preventing three embassy employees from 'continuing their activities'. Previously, Iranian diplomats were restricted to travel only between the UN, their mission, the ambassador's residence, and John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Iran's Accusations and Legal Stance

Tehran views these measures as 'hostile provocation' and an infringement on the rights of the Iranian people, asserting that they undermine the fundamental legal framework governing diplomatic missions at the United Nations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has accused the U.S. government of exploiting the United Nations as a political tool to create obstacles for countries not aligned with U.S. policies. In its statements, Iran emphasized that the U.S. decision is a 'blatant violation of the principles and objectives of the UN Charter' and Iran's sovereign rights. The ministry also stressed that compliance with host-country obligations to the United Nations is not a favor but a binding legal duty under the 1946 Headquarters Agreement. Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, had previously urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in September to take 'appropriate' action regarding the 'illegal' restrictions.

UN's Position and Broader Context

The United Nations has affirmed its stance on the matter, with UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq stating that the U.S., as the host country, is obligated to permit the unrestricted movement of all UN-based diplomatic personnel. Haq reiterated the organization's 'consistent stance' that the host country must allow diplomats to carry out their work freely once accredited. The U.S. State Department, in a September statement, justified some of its actions as part of a 'maximum pressure' campaign, asserting, 'We will not allow the Iranian regime to allow its clerical elites to have a shopping spree in New York while the Iranian people endure poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and dire shortages of water and electricity.' These renewed diplomatic tensions occur after diplomatic initiatives between Tehran and Washington were suspended following U.S. actions targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, under what was termed 'Operation Midnight Hammer'.