WASHINGTON — Iran's president and the leaders of six Middle Eastern countries are expected to gather in New York next week for the United Nations General Assembly. U.S. President Donald Trump said he is at a major crossroads over whether to resume large-scale attacks on Iran, making next week's gathering a potential turning point in the war.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson said on the 17th that entry visas had been approved for Iran's "core delegation" and its support staff, according to The Associated Press and other outlets. An anonymous U.S. government official said the delegation includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. "In line with our obligations as host country of the U.N. General Assembly, the core delegation of the Iranian regime will be able to attend the high-level week of the General Assembly," the State Department said, adding that travel restrictions would apply to the delegation and that purchases of luxury goods and other items would be barred. Iran has yet to comment on attending the General Assembly.
Trump will hold a summit in New York on the 22nd with six Gulf states — Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. In an interview with Axios, Trump said he wants to know where the six Gulf states stand and how the situation looks, noting that the United States has protected them extensively. Axios said the meeting could play an important role in determining the next phase of the war, including whether the United States makes a further push for a diplomatic settlement with Iran or steps up military action, and noted that Trump would need the consent of regional allies to resume large-scale combat operations.
In the interview, Trump said he faces a major decision on whether to attack the Iranian regime and wipe it out, or not, calling it a significant decision and saying that anything could happen where he is concerned. Trump claimed Iran is in direct contact with the United States and still wants a deal with Washington.
Trump is under pressure ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with diesel prices at record highs. Iran is also facing economic strain, including surging inflation driven by the U.S. naval blockade and economic sanctions. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control added Bitbank, an Iranian crypto firm, to its sanctions list for processing payments tied to passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Against that backdrop, Saudi Arabia has asked China for help after U.S. forces declined to assist as Yemen's pro-Iran Houthi rebels made gains, Reuters reported on the same day, citing sources. China in turn asked Iran to rein in the Houthis, Reuters said.
China has publicly called for dialogue and restraint, but its private messages to Iran have carried a tougher tone, according to the report. Beijing has stopped short of signaling explicit threats or economic pressure against Tehran. Iran responded that regional peace depends on ending the U.S. and Israeli war against it, Reuters said.
