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The United States has denied visas to most members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s media team for his trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.
Fars, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, said only the president’s public relations chief and deputy were granted visas, leaving no official photographers or cameramen to cover the visit.
The agency added that the two officials now bear sole responsibility for reporting on “the large number of events” during Pezeshkian’s trip.
It also said that under travel restrictions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, Iranian delegates in New York need permits even to buy items such as fountain pens, classified as “luxury goods.”
The spokesman for Iran’s parliamentary energy committee said on Tuesday that the revival of UN sanctions under the snapback mechanism would carry mostly psychological effects on the economy rather than add new restrictions.
“The return of sanctions does not introduce anything new, but if not properly explained by the authorities, the psychological effect could impact the economy,” Esmail Hosseini, a lawmaker from Shiraz, was quoted as saying by Iranian media.
He called for public messaging to neutralize the impact and said parliament was reviewing options, including withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Hosseini also described the reimposition of sanctions as “legally invalid.”
Earlier in August, Iran’s intelligence ministry warned in a confidential letter that snapback could halt oil sales, fuel major economic and security crises, increase unemployment and stoke social unrest.
Condom purchases in Iran jumped 26% during the country’s 12-day conflict with Israel in June, according to data from the country’s largest e-commerce platform Digikala.
The report on consumer behavior showed a surge in demand for a range of health-related products during the war, including sanitary pads, disinfectants, blood glucose test strips, medical bandages, nail extension supplies, blood glucose monitors, adult diapers, and sanitary underpads.
The report comes three months after Israel launched a surprise military campaign on June 13, striking military and nuclear facilities in Iran. Air attacks killed nuclear scientists along with hundreds of military personnel and civilians. Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks which killed 31 Israeli civilians and one off-duty soldier.
The United States joined the conflict on June 22, conducting strikes on major nuclear sites including Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, before brokering a ceasefire on June 24.
Global perspective
Similar spikes in condom sales have been reported in other countries during times of conflict or crisis. After North Korea’s nuclear test in October 2006, South Korean convenience stores recorded a surge, with condom sales averaging 1,930 per day, compared to about 1,508 per day previously.
In Russia, following the invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, major retailers reported sharp increases. The pharmacy chain Rigla noted a 26% rise, while online marketplace Wildberries saw sales climb by about 170% year-on-year, a surge linked to consumer fears of shortages and price hikes.
Similar behavior was documented in the United States during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when condom makers such as Reckitt Benckiser reported sales jumps linked to consumer uncertainty and supply chain fears but not necessarily increased use.
Iran and European powers will hold last-ditch talks in New York on Tuesday to try to prevent the revival of UN sanctions on Tehran, though diplomats on both sides cautioned that chances of success remain slim, Reuters reported.
Foreign ministers of Iran, Britain, France and Germany – the so-called E3 – are due to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, joined by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, amid warnings that a 30-day “snapback” process to reimpose sanctions will expire on September 27.
“Iran has been in contact with E3/EU officials and (the UN nuclear chief Rafael) Grossi since this morning at the UN Different ideas have been raised and discussed,” a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday.
“Iran’s top diplomat will meet with the E3 foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Kallas tomorrow and will continue the discussions.”
Another Iranian official said “everyone seems to be trying” to find a resolution. Two European diplomats confirmed the Tuesday meeting.
Debate has erupted in Iran over President Masoud Pezeshkian’s upcoming trip to the UN General Assembly in New York, with politicians, clerics and commentators split on whether he should meet Donald Trump or avoid the risk.
Here are ten of the sharpest takes.
1. Make history
Former Tehran mayor Gholamhossein Karbaschi:
“If Pezeshkian wishes to be remembered honorably by history, this is the time for it.”One reader commented: “Should he seek authorization to negotiate—or permission to surrender?”
2. Last chance for diplomacy
Political commentator Ali Bigdeli:
“Pezeshkian’s presence in New York is Iran’s last chance for diplomacy. If he goes empty-handed, he would be better off staying home than attending the UNGA.”
3. Only if Trump asks
Former lawmaker Ali Motahari:
“If Trump asks for a meeting with Pezeshkian, our president should accept for the sake of national interests, despite Trump’s hypocrisy and lies. Perhaps Trump’s ambition to take credit for everything could work in Iran’s favor.”
4. Negotiation is fantasy
Mohammad Mehdi Imanipour, head of the Islamic Culture and Communication Organization:
“Holding talks with Trump and similar ideas are fantasy. This is a precious opportunity to tell the world about the 12-day war with Israel and to make clear that Iran was attacked while pursuing peaceful negotiations.”
5. Don’t count on China, Russia
Political commentator Qasem Mohebali:
“It is wise to reach an agreement with the West now. We can renegotiate later from a position of strength. The most China and Russia would do for us is preserve the status quo.”
6. Seek the Leader’s backing
Reformist figure Mohammad Atrianfar:
“If Pezeshkian wants to change the current trajectory of negotiations, he must create a turning point by doing something new. If he secures Khamenei’s backing, he could even hold direct talks with Trump and seize the opportunity to serve the country’s interests.”
7. Don’t meet E3 leaders
Conservative commentator Nasser Imani:
“Pezeshkian should strictly avoid meetings with the leaders of the three countries that activated the trigger mechanism against Iran … The US and European leaders undermined not only international law but also the very organizations they themselves created.”
8. Avert UN sanctions
An editorial in the moderate daily Ham Mihan:
“(We should) not take the risky path toward sanctions. It is not true that it can do no further harm … We are masters of wasting time and missing opportunities.”
9. Do what you believe is right
Another Ham Mihan editorial:
“Do what you honestly believe is essential for the public good and the country’s survival. Never think in terms of personal interests. Do not fear criticism, and avoid later saying you wanted to act differently but were not allowed.”
10. For a picture only
Hardline figure Abdollah Ganji, former editor of the IRGC’s Javan daily:
“Two countries that have fought each other—and one of them has imposed over 3,000 sanctions on the other—cannot negotiate like this.”
Ganji branded moderates “shameless,” accusing them of seeking to put Pezeshkian “in the same picture with Trump for a moment regardless of the result.”
