Top Republican demands Biden admin block Iranian foreign minister's visit to UN: 'an insult' to victims

A leading Republican senator is demanding the U.S. cancel the visa reportedly given to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to attend a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting this week after Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend.

"As the host country of the United Nations, the United States has historically granted visas to diplomats from both allies and adversaries: However, the United States holds the authority to deny visas to diplomats for security, terrorism, or foreign policy reasons," Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wrote in a letter submitted to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"I strongly believe that denying Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian’s entry to the United States is necessary and consistent with the precedent set by President Obama and President Trump," Lankford stressed.

"Not only does Amirabdollahian have irrefutable ties to Hamas terrorists who are currently holding 133 hostages, including five Americans, but Iran’s irresponsible strikes and continued threats have jeopardized Israel’s security," he wrote. "I urge the administration to take swift action and deny Amirabdollahian’s entry to the United States."

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Lankford noted that this week marks the anniversary of Hezbollah's bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon - which killed 63 people, including 52 Lebanese and American Embassy employees - saying, "Hosting a senior member of the IRGC on the 41st anniversary of Hezbollah’s terrorist attack would be an insult to the victims and their families."

A U.N. diplomatic source confirmed to Fox News Digital that the Iranian foreign minister would attend the meeting,