Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New York on Monday to participate in United Nations General Assembly meetings, marking the highest-ranking Iranian visit to the United States since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran on February 28.
Diplomatic Maneuvers and the Stalled Strait of Hormuz
Araghchi leads the Iranian diplomatic delegation to the UN meetings, as the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed following his arrival from Qatar. Tehran’s chief diplomat held a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss the General Assembly agenda.
State media reported Araghchi’s stated purpose for the diplomatic trip. The Iranian state media quoted him regarding the international platform.
Our most important goal is to utilize this major international platform to defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Iranian people. Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister, via BBC
Earlier state media reports indicated Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian would lead the delegation. However, the United States refused entry visas for several delegation members, including media team personnel. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei addressed Araghchi on social media as the head of the delegation, noting that the minister will hold extensive talks with numerous officials and foreign ministers attending the session.
Despite granting entry for UN meetings, Washington maintained restrictions similar to those applied last year, barring delegation members from purchasing luxury goods or specific products in New York. Araghchi traveled through Qatar, which acts as a mediator in the conflict between Tehran and Washington. Iran reports that it transmitted its conditions to the United States through Qatari mediation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced severe disruptions since the war began. The United States maintains a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
French-Led Security Council Resolution Proposal
While diplomatic talks unfold in New York, international efforts target maritime security in critical Middle Eastern waterways. France is drafting a new United Nations Security Council resolution focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to navigation, according to a diplomatic source cited by Agence France-Presse.
France wants to work with the Americans and its partners on a Security Council draft resolution that guarantees freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomatic source, via BBC
This diplomatic push follows an earlier attempt in April, when Russia and China exercised veto power against a Bahrain-drafted resolution backed by Gulf states and the United States that also called for reopening the strait.
French and U.S. Executive Discussions
French President Emmanuel Macron met with U.S. President Donald Trump in New York to coordinate strategies regarding the waterway and global energy markets. Macron discussed ways to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing disruptions affecting commercial shipping and energy supplies.
The French leader noted that the discussions also addressed the situation in the Red Sea and the necessity of protecting oil tanker transit to stabilize global prices, describing the exchange as very good and constructive.
Macron reinforced the joint approach on social media. The French president detailed the agreement reached with his American counterpart.
Upon my arrival in New York, I met with President Donald Trump, and we agreed to act together to ease tensions in energy markets by protecting critical infrastructure in the Middle East and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, via Mawazin
U.S. Economic Pressure on Iranian Aviation
Economic pressure accompanies the diplomatic and military friction. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that all Iranian airlines will halt operations due to upcoming American sanctions taking effect on September 23.
Bessent explained that secondary sanctions targeting global aviation service providers will force the shutdown. The treasury measures form part of a broader U.S. transition toward economic warfare against Iran rather than direct military engagement. Bessent outlined the policy shift following talks with China’s vice prime minister.