WASHINGTON, Aug 8: The US State Department said on Monday that the alleged involvement of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 1979 hostage crisis could play a decisive role in determining whether Washington could issue him a visa.

The department’s deputy spokesman, Adam Ereli, however, confirmed that Mr Ahmadinejad had applied for a US visa to attend the annual session of the UN General Assembly which begins in NY from Sept 14.

Under an international agreement the US has signed as the host country for the UN General Assembly, Washington cannot deny visa to a head of state wanting to attend the session.

In the past, the US was forced to issue a visa to Yasser Arafat despite serious differences with the Palestinian leader. But Mr Ereli told a briefing in Washington that the US government would also consider Mr Ahmadinejad’s alleged involvement in the 1979 hostage-taking of the US Embassy staff in Tehran.

“We’ve received a request for a visa. We’re reviewing that request, obviously bearing in mind our responsibilities under the agreement, also taking into consideration previous activities with respect to hostage-taking,” said Mr Ereli.