Iran's Rouhani may cancel U.N. visit if U.S. visa not issued soon - state media

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani may cancel his trip to New York next week for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations if the United States fails to issue visas for him and Foreign Minister Zarif in the next few hours, state media said on Wednesday. U.S.-Iran strains have worsened since U.S. President Donald Trump quit a 2015 international agreement last year for Iran to curb its nuclear program in return for sanctions relief.

Tensions have escalated in recent months after attacks on tankers in the Gulf and Saudi oil facilities that the United States blames on Iran. The United States blacklisted Zarif at the end of July, imposing sanctions that would block any property or interests that he has in the United States. In July, the United States imposed tight travel restrictions on Iranian diplomats and their families in New York.