UN official's gesture to Araghchi sparks criticism: "Bowing before a regime that massacred tens of thousands"
A photo of senior UN official Tom Fletcher bowing before Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York has sparked outrage among Jewish and Israeli figures. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized him, asking whether the conversation touched on the regime's "humanitarian work" against protesters. The Iranians held a productive diplomatic schedule with foreign ministers of major powers, including a meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.
A photo taken on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York has caused a stir: Tom Fletcher, head of the UN aid agency, is seen bowing before Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The photo, which received wide coverage in Iranian media, angered Jewish and Israeli figures. Hillel Neuer, head of UN Watch, called it a "disgrace" and noted that Araghchi's regime massacred tens of thousands of protesters. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon asked Fletcher whether the conversation touched on the regime's "humanitarian work" against protesters. Meanwhile, the Iranian delegation had a productive diplomatic agenda: Araghchi met with foreign ministers of at least 24 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, as well as with US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff. The meetings took place against the backdrop of reports of an attempted attack near the British Royal Air Force base Fairford, where five men were arrested on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack, with media investigating a possible Iranian connection.