Iran wrestling team calls off US match after visas denied
Among those denied a visa was Iran’s Wrestling Federation chief, whose “death to America” remarks had stirred controversy.
The president of Iran’s Wrestling Federation, Alireza Dabir, says he was left with “no choice but to cancel” an Iran-US meet after several visa applications submitted by the Iranian delegation were rejected by American authorities.
In a letter to his American counterpart, Dabir lamented the fact that he and five others had been denied their visas and were, therefore, unable to make it to the event in Arlington, Texas, scheduled for Feb. 12.
The federation chief also complained about what he described as US authorities’ “offensive” treatment of one of the Iranian applicants, who had been “interviewed interrogation-style for five hours” at the American consulate in Dubai.
With no formal diplomatic ties between Tehran and the United States, both Iranian and American visa applicants are required to apply via third-party missions to visit the other nation.
