Iran calls participation in UN General Assembly its legitimate right

International platforms are created so that every country's voice can be heard, regardless of political differences. When access to them is restricted, it undermines the very idea of multilateralism and equality on which the United Nations rests. Iran reminds us that its presence in New York is not a favour but an inalienable right of a UN founder.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Saturday that participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York is Iran's "legitimate right." "Presence in New York is absolutely unattractive for Iranian representatives. However, it is a stronghold that cannot be abandoned. Iran's participation in the UN General Assembly session is a legitimate right, not a service someone renders to us.

Iran is one of the 50 founding countries of the UN," Baghaei said in an interview with state television IRIB. "Our duty as representatives of the Iranian nation is to be present at this important international event so that the world hears about the legitimacy of the rights of the Iranian people," he said, accusing the "other side" of using every available means to prevent the Iranian delegation from participating. According to him, such "obstructionism and negative propaganda" will never force Iran to give up its legitimate right to participate in the session and state its position.

A US State Department statement published on Thursday said the United States would issue visas to Iran's "core delegation" to the UN General Assembly "in accordance with our obligations as host country." "The delegation is smaller than last year," the statement said.

As reported by CCTV+, Iran's statement underscores the importance of equal access to international platforms and recalls the principles on which the UN was founded. Despite the limited size of its delegation, Tehran intends to use the General Assembly podium to defend its rights.