Pompeo refused to comment on consular matters and visas for individuals traveling to the United States during a Tuesday press briefing where he was peppered with questions about Iran, but insisted the U.S. always complied with the requirements of the United Nations.



“We will always comply with our obligations under the U.N. requirements and the headquarters agreements and we will do so in this particular instance, and more broadly everyday,” Pompeo said.



Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was denied a request to travel to New York for a Thursday meeting of the U.N. Security Council, where he was expected to address the world diplomatic body on the U.S. targeted killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Quds Force.



Zarif accused Pompeo of violating American agreements with the United Nations that allows foreign representatives to travel to the United Nations headquarters regardless of their country's relations with the U.S.