The United States has reportedly refused to issue visas to some members of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s delegation ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Monday that members of Pezeshkian’s communications team were among those denied entry visas.

The report described the decision as a “hostile move” by the US government, while Iran’s Mehr news agency also reported the visa denials, citing a spokesperson for the Iranian presidency.

Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. His visit would make him the highest-ranking Iranian official to enter the United States since the Middle East war began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, according to Channels Television.

The US has authorised the Iranian delegation to travel to the UN General Assembly but is expected to impose restrictions on the delegation, similar to those applied last year.

The US State Department said on Thursday that members of the Iranian delegation would not be permitted to purchase luxury goods or certain other items during their stay.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is part of the delegation, left Iran on Sunday evening and travelled to Qatar for a stopover.

The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Iran says it has communicated conditions to the US through Qatar for reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments that Tehran says it has restricted since the war began.

The United States, meanwhile, is imposing a counterblockade on Iranian ports.