US rejects Iran's nominee for UN ambassador (Updated)
The White House has barred Hamid Aboutalebi from entering the United States after the House and Senate unanimously approved legislation to that effect
The White House on Friday formally announced that it would not allow Iran’s pick for UN envoy to enter the US, one day after legislation to that effect unanimously cleared Congress.
“We have informed the United Nations and Iran that we will not issue a visa to Mr. [Hamid] Aboutalebi,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters at his daily press briefing. “We certainly share the intent of the bill passed by Congress.”
The decision drew an immediate rebuke from Iran.
“It is a regrettable decision by the US Administration which is in contravention of international law, the obligation of the host country and the inherent right of sovereign member states to designate their representatives to the United Nations,” Hamid Babaei, Counselor and Head of Press Office to Iran’s Mission to the United Nations, said in an emailed statement.
