U.S. refuses visa to Iran's nomination for UN envoy

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Barack Obama has come under intense pressure from the U.S. Congress not to allow Aboutalebi to enter the country.

The White House has refused to issue a U.S. visa to Iran's nomination for UN ambassador, who was involved in seizure of the U.S. embassy in 1979.

The decision in effect bars Hamid Aboutalebi from taking up the role at the UN, which is based in New York.

Aboutalebi was linked to the student group that took dozens of people hostage at the embassy in Tehran.

Earlier this week, the White House told the Iranian government its selection of a one-time student revolutionary to be UN ambassador was "not viable".

A spokesman for Iran's mission to the UN, Hamid Babaei, described the decision as "regrettable" and said it contravened international law.

The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have both voted in favour of a bill barring Aboutalebi from the U.S. It still requires the signature of the president before it can become law.

Iran says Aboutalebi is one of its most experienced diplomats and stands by his nomination.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Friday, April 11, the UN and Iran had been told "that we will not issue a visa to Aboutalebi".

He did not say whether President Obama would sign the bill but said the president shared the sentiments of Congress.

In an interview with an Iranian news site last month, Aboutalebi said he was not part of the group that took over the U.S. embassy and was only later asked to translate for the students.

The 52 Americans were held for 444 days during the crisis.

It is believed the U.S. has never before denied a visa for a UN ambassador and correspondents say there is concern among diplomats about the precedent that could be set.