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Reporters press UN on U.S. visa denials; spokesperson points to host‑country committee
Summary
Reporters asked the UN spokesperson whether the U.S. had refused visas to visiting diplomats — including the Iranian foreign minister and a Russian deputy minister — and whether visa restrictions risk politicizing sports; the spokesperson said visa concerns fall to the host country committee under the host‑country agreement and said he did not know the specific reasons for the absences.
Emma Wu of China Central Television asked how China is contributing to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter; Farhan praised the debate and welcomed member‑state discussion. The exchange then shifted to visa issues when reporters raised claims that the United States had not issued visas to certain visiting officials.
Abdul Hamid asked why the Secretary‑General had mentioned only Ukraine by name in his Security Council remarks and then raised allegations that Israeli civil administration had confiscated land from Nabi Samuel and Beit Exa, including Waqf property; Farhan acknowledged the UN’s concern about such seizures and reiterated the need to preserve Palestinian territory for a viable two‑state solution but provided no additional evidence or follow‑up actions in the briefing.
Separately, Farnoush asked whether the Secretary‑General was worried that the U.S. refusal to issue visas prevented the Iranian foreign minister from attending a UN event. Farhan said the UN expects the host country to issue visas under the host country agreement but that he did not have the specific reason for the minister’s absence and said any concerns would be taken up by the host country committee, a member‑state committee.
Reporters followed up with questions about the Iran national football team saying it would move its U.S. headquarters to Mexico over visa restrictions and whether U.S. denial of a visa to a Russian deputy foreign minister would be raised with the U.S. Mission. Farhan replied that the team’s move was a FIFA matter and again deferred visa disputes to the host country committee while reiterating the expectation that the host country honor its obligations under the agreement.
The briefing produced no immediate UN policy change or confirmed reversals of visas; the spokesperson said host‑country issues are handled by member states through the host country committee and did not provide specific case resolutions during this session.
