New York City Cancels Meeting With Iranian U.N. Official After State Department Intervention

A planned meeting between New York City's commissioner for international affairs and Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations did not occur after the State Department intervened. The mayor said he learned of the proposed meeting only after receiving a press inquiry.

He stated the commissioner recognized the request was made in error and that the office is developing a new process for handling meeting requests.

Background on the Proposed Meeting The meeting had been scheduled to take place at 2 United Nations Plaza. Iranian officials initiated the request, according to sources familiar with the office. The city's international affairs office traditionally assists diplomats with administrative matters such as school placements and permits.

Officials noted that meetings with representatives from countries with strained U.S. relations typically require additional review.

members of the City

Council sent a letter to the commissioner demanding information about the meeting and the office's activities. The letter stated that engaging with the representative of a nation the lawmakers described as hostile exceeded the office's authority. The mayor previously planned a meeting with Colombia's outgoing president that was also blocked by the Trump administration.

“The commissioner recognizes that this was made in error and we're working on a new process in terms of new meeting requests." — The mayor, at an unrelated event The mayor emphasized that the request came into the office rather than originating from it. He added that the sit-down never took place.”