Iran’s Foreign Minister said that the United States Secretary of State Pompeo was trying to delay issuing of visas for the Iranian delegation to the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

Iran Press/Iran news: “Mike Pompeo tries to dodge US obligation to issue visas for UN delegates by resorting to self-arrogated designations,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted on Thursday. He didn't clarify whether the delay may be linked to the US' blacklisting of Zarif at the end of July.

“A history lesson, perhaps, for my novice counterpart: Nelson Mandela was on U.S. Terrorist Watch List until 2008; 15 years after receiving Nobel Peace Prize,” Zarif tweeted.

.@SecPompeo tries to dodge US obligation to issue visas for UN delegates by resorting to self-arrogated designations.

A history lesson, perhaps, for my novice counterpart:

Nelson Mandela was on U.S. Terrorist Watch List until 2008; 15 years after receiving Nobel Peace Prize.

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 19, 2019

In another tweet, the Iranian Foreign Minister mentioned "lies and cheating" as one of the US' old habits, saying it has reached new high over the last few days.

Old habits clearly die hard, @SecPompeo.

"Lies and cheating" - and groveling to foreign clients who harbor utter disregard for blood & treasure - have reached new high over last few days.

Path to redemption: Seizing opportunity to end disaster in #Yemen - not widening it! pic.twitter.com/5llwQH8f5T

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) September 19, 2019

Zarif also had an interview with CNN, raising the spectre of "all-out war" in the event of the US or Saudi military strikes and added that the Saudi regime would have to fight "to the last American soldier."

Tehran's top diplomat said that Iran hoped to avoid conflict, adding that the country was willing to talk to its regional rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But the possibility of a return to negotiations with the US, however, would not happen unless Washington provided full sanctions relief as promised under the 2015 nuclear deal.

He again denied Tehran's involvement in weekend attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, Aramco. Zarif said Yemen's Houthis, who claimed responsibility for the attack, have stepped up their military capabilities and are capable of conducting a sophisticated operation such as the one that knocked out half of the kingdom's energy production.

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