The US has granted visas to the Iranian President and Foreign Minister to attend the UN General Assembly

The US government has granted visas to Iranian officials so they can travel to the UN General Assembly in New York.

The BBC understands the core delegation permitted to attend includes Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

A spokesman for the US State Department confirmed the decision, saying that the delegation will be placed under travel restrictions and will be banned from purchasing certain American products.

Last year, diplomats attending from Iran were banned from shopping at wholesale stores like Costco. They also were required to seek permission from the US before purchasing luxury goods, including jewellery, alcohol and cars.

State Department Spokesman Tommy Pigott said the US would prevent the diplomats from “going on shopping sprees” as the Iranian people deal with water and electricity shortages, “brutal repression”, and “soaring inflation”.