US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday that, “US diplomats don’t roam around Tehran, so we don’t see any reason for Iranian diplomats to roam freely around New York City either.”
In the past, Zarif has used his time in the US wisely, giving talks and making media appearances, grinning and having an enjoyable time while on American soil. He likes being in the US, and generally seems affable and happiest while touring New York or speaking to think tanks. He’s even a minor celebrity in some spaces. So the Trump administration, which had considered sanctioning Zarif, has sought instead to keep him reined in around the UN corral.The problem for Washington is that officially the desire to sanction Iran and apply “maximum pressure” is to achieve a new Iran deal. If Zarif can’t meet anyone then how can a diplomatic resolution take place?In May it was revealed that Zarif had dinner with US Senator Diane Feinstein. She had consulted with the State Department prior to the meeting, according to reports at the time.Special Rep for Iran Brian Hook appeared on the @dailybriefing with @DanaPerino to discuss the 6-block radius limitation placed on @JZarif during his UN visit: “We don’t need to let Iranian diplomats roam freely in New York City.” https://t.co/9WSEFyzLOV
— Department of State (@StateDept) July 16, 2019
Democrat senator Dianne Feinstein had dinner with Iranian foreign minister Zarif earlier this month. Feinstein is the vice chair of the Senate intelligence committee and a relatively hawkish Democrat, although also a supporter of the JCPOA. https://t.co/QGDO7ItHKW
— Raf Sanchez (@rafsanchez) May 23, 2019
It remains to be seen if keeping the Iranian foreign minister penned in to the six-block radius area will keep him out of the limelight in the US. If history shows anything, it is that he will likely find his way to explain Iran’s demands regardless of the new limitation.Is Dianne Feinstein in direct contact with Javad Zarif? https://t.co/HMO8t4NH6G
— Mike (@Doranimated) May 16, 2019