Araqchi: No substitute for Iranˈs proposed UN envoy

Tehran, April 12, IRNA – There is no substitute for Iranˈs proposed ambassador to the United Nations Hamid Aboutalebi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi said on Saturday. Commenting on the issue of US denying to issue visa for the Iranian diplomat, Araqchi told IRNA, ˈIran will follow up Aboutalebiˈs case through legal channels.ˈ According to an agreement signed by US, as the host of the UN headquarters, and the United Nations, Washington is obliged to act based on its commitments, Araqchi stressed. Washington has decided to deny visa to Aboutalebi over his alleged involvement in the takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran during post-Revolution incidents in 1979. On November 4, 1979, a group of Iranian university students took over the US Embassy in Tehran, which they believed had turned into a den of espionage. Documents found at the compound later corroborated the claims by the students. On April 10, the US House of Representatives unanimously approved a legislation that prevents Aboutalebi from entering the United States. The bill, sponsored by Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, was passed by the Democratic-controlled Senate through voice vote on April 7. The legislation will be sent to the White House to be signed by President Barack Obama to take effect. Iran has rejected the decision as unacceptable saying it is against international laws.