March 23 (Bloomberg) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad canceled his plan to visit the United Nations, and he and the U.S. dispute the reasons.

Ahmadinejad said U.S. visas for his airplane crew weren't issued in time, Cable News Network reported. U.S. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the U.S. provided visas for Ahmadinejad's entire delegation, including his airplane crew and security detail.

Amhadinejad had asked to address the United Nations Security Council before it voted on further sanctions on his country. The Security Council is scheduled to vote tomorrow at 3 p.m. New York time.

Iran will be represented by Manouchehr Mottaki, said South African Ambassador to the UN Dumisani Kumalo. Kumalo is the current president of the council.

``Any suggestion that visa issues are the cause of President Ahmadinejad's decision not to travel to New York is false,'' Casey said in an e-mail to reporters. ``Rather, it would appear that he is unwilling to stand before the council and take the heat for his continued defiance of the international community.''

To contact the reporter on this story: Janine Zacharia in Washington at jzacharia@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 23, 2007 19:13 EDT