Iran-U.S. tensions in focus as Pezeshkian heads to New York

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. The trip comes amid escalating tensions and the possibility of renewed war in the region, making the visit a narrow window for reviving diplomacy. But, as has often been the case with visits by Iranian presidents to the United States since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, controversies surrounding the trip have quickly overshadowed its main agenda.

Donald Trump has not ruled out a meeting with Pezeshkian, fueling speculation over the level of diplomatic contacts in New York. Although such a meeting currently appears highly unlikely, the simultaneous presence of senior Iranian and U.S. officials in New York could provide more opportunities for direct and indirect messages to be exchanged.

Will Pezeshkian and Trump meet?

The most significant issue surrounding the trip is the possibility of a meeting between Pezeshkian and Donald Trump. No formal meeting between the two presidents has been announced, but Trump has said that he is “probably” open to meeting Pezeshkian.

The remark comes as Tehran has reportedly sent messages through Qatar regarding the conditions for resuming negotiations, while Washington is considering its next steps over the war. Still, such a meeting appears highly unlikely.

Trump had also sought a meeting with then-President Hassan Rouhani during the latter’s 2019 visit to New York, but no such meeting ever took place.

Araghchi’s presence in New York may be nearly as significant as Pezeshkian’s. Iran’s foreign minister arrived in New York ahead of the president, while regional diplomatic channels remain active. Reports indicate that Qatar is playing a role in relaying messages between Tehran and Washington, and that Iran has set conditions for the resumption of negotiations. Araghchi is also reportedly expected to make a stop in Qatar after New York.

Trump to meet Arab leaders

Trump is expected to meet with leaders or foreign ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The meeting is also significant for Iran.

According to Axios, the war with Iran and the U.S. strategy for the post-war period will be among the issues discussed. Trump has also said he will discuss Iran with Arab leaders.

If the leaders of these countries give Trump the green light to resume attacks, it could give the U.S. president greater room to act. The interests of Gulf states are considered an important factor in U.S. decision-making over a regional conflict.

A history of controversy in New York

Visits by Iranian presidents to New York have repeatedly been accompanied by controversy over the past four decades.

During Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency, his trips to New York generated considerable controversy, from his speeches about the Holocaust and the walkout of several diplomats from the UN General Assembly hall to domestic criticism over the size of the Iranian delegation and the presence of family members.

In 2013, Hassan Rouhani’s first trip to New York included a historic telephone conversation with then-U.S. President Barack Obama. It was the first direct contact between the presidents of Iran and the United States since the 1979 revolution. The call also triggered controversy in Iran, with a group of protesters demonstrating against Rouhani when he returned to Tehran.

Four years later, in 2017, speculation again emerged over a possible meeting between the Iranian and U.S. presidents on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Reports said the Trump administration had sought to arrange talks with Rouhani, but Iran rejected the proposal. U.S. State Department officials also confirmed that the idea of such a meeting had been raised.

In recent years, Iranian presidents’ trips to New York have continued to attract controversy. During Ebrahim Raisi’s visits, the size of the delegation and images of data-x-items reportedly purchased in New York prompted reactions in Iran. During Pezeshkian’s first trip in 2024, the presence of family members in the delegation and the composition of the Iranian delegation also drew media attention.

A different kind of trip for Pezeshkian

The main difference between Pezeshkian’s trip and many previous visits is the circumstances surrounding it. In previous years, New York was largely a venue for diplomatic consultations and indirect negotiations. This time, however, the Iranian delegation is arriving in the United States under the shadow of war.

As a result, Pezeshkian’s speech will be only one part of the trip. What takes place behind the scenes during meetings, the exchange of messages and Araghchi’s diplomatic efforts could prove even more significant.

New York could therefore serve both as a platform for Iran to present its positions and as one of the few remaining openings for diplomacy. Given the continuation of the war, U.S. restrictions and Washington’s consultations with regional countries, it remains unclear how long that window will remain open.