MEXICO CITY, Mexico \u2014 The first booth World Cup fans encounter at the global fan expo in Mexico City\u2019s Chapultepec Park belongs to Iran.<\/p>\n

Inside, women in colorful headscarves serve sambuseh, a traditional Persian pastry, alongside stuffed dates. Persian rugs hang beside vases. The welcoming scene stands in sharp contrast to the reception Iran has received from the U.S., where its national team will play its first match against New Zealand on Monday.<\/p>\n

While Iran was one of the first nations to qualify for the World Cup, President Donald Trump has been lukewarm\u00a0<\/a>about the country\u2019s participation since the conflict began in February, and the State Department did not approve visas<\/a> for all members of the Iranian delegation.<\/p>\n

Blue Light News spoke with Iran\u2019s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, through his Spanish translator at the expo before he departed for Tijuana, where Iran\u2019s national team is training after moving its pre-tournament camp from Tucson, Arizona.<\/p>\n

Pasandideh remarked on Iran\u2019s relations with the United States at a delicate moment. The visa denials impacting some of the Iranian team\u2019s coaching staff may have a negative impact on the team\u2019s performance, he said.<\/p>\n

But as the two countries move closer to a potential peace agreement<\/a>, Pasandideh pointed to Iran\u2019s decision to send its national team to compete on U.S. soil as evidence of Tehran\u2019s posture.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact of our presence in the U.S. in a time of war sends a signal: We are in favor of peace,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

And he had a direct message for Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the U.S. closes its eyes to Israel\u2019s interests,\u201d Pasandideh said, \u201cIran and the U.S. can be very good friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Click here to read<\/i><\/a> Sophia’s full conversation with Abolfazl Pasandideh.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"