Iran’s President Pezeshkian arrives in New York for UN address amid hopes for diplomacy

Images showing alleged victims of the Iranian government are display during a ‘Free Iran’ rally at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on September 22, 2026. — AFP pic

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Summary

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in New York to address the United Nations General Assembly, as reported by Iranian state media.
• This marks a significant occasion, being the first instance of a leader from a nation currently in conflict with the United States visiting the country to participate in a UN meeting.
• His arrival was documented by state broadcaster IRIB, highlighting the diplomatic nuances of this visit.

First Published: Wednesday, 23 Sep 2026 1:42 PM MYT

TEHRAN, Sept 23 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York where he is expected to speak at the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian state media reported today.

State broadcaster IRIB posted a video clip of Pezeshkian exiting a plane with a caption saying that the Iranian president has arrived at a New York airport. This is the first time that a leader whose country is at war with the US sets foot on American soil to address a UN gathering, analysts say. — AFP