UN expresses concern over US restrictions on Iranian top diplomat

UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Monday that the world body has notified Washington of its concerns.

"The secretariat is aware of the restrictive travel measures imposed by the host country on personnel of the permanent mission of Iran to the UN. The secretariat is in close contact with the permanent missions of the United States and Iran to the UN regarding this matter and has conveyed its concerns to the host country."

Haq made the comments a day after the top Iranian diplomat arrived in New York.

Tehran has said that the restrictions imposed on Zarif, travelling between the United Nations and the Iranian UN mission or the Iranian UN ambassador's residence, would not affect his “work schedule.”

"Putting restrictions on his presence in some streets in New York will certainly not affect his work schedule," said Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Abbas Moussavi.

The US is obliged to allow access to the United Nations, based on a 1947 agreement, involving UN headquarters.

However, US special envoy for Iran, Brian Hook, told Fox News channel that the ban had been imposed "in a manner that is fully consistent" with the agreement.

Late last month, the Trump administration threatened to blacklist the Iranian foreign minister.

After his visit to the US, Zarif is scheduled to head to Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Bolivia.