Iran to attend UN assembly in New York — even as peace with US remains elusive

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is expected in New York for the UN General Assembly this week, despite the ongoing US-Iran war and the absence of resumed peace negotiations
• Washington has approved entry for a smaller “core delegation”, including Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while imposing restrictions on their movements and purchases

🔭 The context: The visit comes as military tensions remain high, with Iran warning that renewed US attacks could trigger retaliation and President Donald Trump signalling that major decisions on Iran may be approaching
• The UN gathering provides a rare opportunity for senior US and Iranian officials to be in the same diplomatic setting, although no breakthrough has been announced

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The conflict has implications for regional energy security, particularly through risks to oil and gas infrastructure and strategic shipping routes
• Prolonged instability could also complicate efforts to coordinate internationally on climate and energy policy

⏭️ What’s next: Pezeshkian is expected to address the General Assembly on Wednesday, while Trump is due to meet Gulf leaders and has indicated that further decisions on Iran could be imminent
• The extent to which the UN gathering creates space for diplomacy remains uncertain

💬 One quote: “Very big things” could happen soon, Trump said when asked about his next decisions on Iran

📈 One stat: 7 months — the approximate duration of the US-Iran war as the 2026 UN General Assembly opens

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