US denies visa to Iran's Foreign Minister to attend UN Meeting

Amid heightened tension, United States has reportedly denied a visa to Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif meant for attending a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York on December 9. After top Iranian military commander was killed by US forces, Zarif said that it was beginning of end of “malign US presence” in West Asia. 

Iranian Foreign Minister has accused US President Donald Trump of violating international law and contempt for UN Charter and wanted to raise issue in meeting. US is bound to allow foreign diplomats to United Nations under a special headquarters agreement, signed in 1947, but Washington said that it holds discretion for “security, terrorism and foreign policy" reasons. 

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Threat to target 52 sites

War of words between Zarif and Trump started after death of Soleimani and latter threatened Iran of attacking 52 sites. Zarif said that US has once again committed to violating fundamental principle of international law and targetting country's cultural sites would be a ‘war crime’. Zarif had lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump saying y should t even bor to refer law dictionary.

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Meanwhile, US Homeland Security updated its terror advisory, expiring on January 18, saying an attack may come with little or warning, adding that Iran and its partners have demonstrated intent and capability to conduct operations in United States. However, it maintained that it does t have information indicating a specific, credible threat to Homeland.

Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of US Homeland Security, pointed at threats publicly stated by Iranian leadership and affiliated extremist organizations. Wolf said that Iran prefers terrorist activities to retaliate and it has targeted United States interests through its partners like Hezbollah. Wolf also feared that “homegrown violent extremists” could launch individual attacks amid heightened tensions.

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(With inputs from ncies)