The United States removed two remaining members of Iran’s delegation to the United Nations from the country after officials said they failed to comply with Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s order to leave New York, escalating an already bitter diplomatic confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
A U.S. official said Saturday that the two Iranian representatives had remained in New York several days after Rubio ordered Iran’s delegation to leave following another unsuccessful round of negotiations.
“Secretary Rubio means business,” the official said. “Two more members of the Iranian delegation were found still in New York long after the United Nations General Assembly had passed. They have now been kicked out of the country.”
One of the two Iranian officials departed Friday night, while the second left Saturday morning, according to Axios.
The State Department’s action followed Rubio’s decision earlier in the week to cut short the Iranian delegation’s stay in the United States.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had remained in New York after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian departed following his appearance before the U.N. General Assembly.
Araghchi’s extended stay was intended to allow additional diplomacy involving the United States and Qatar as negotiators attempted to find a path toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the conflict and restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
The discussions produced little progress.
After weekend meetings involving Iranian and Qatari officials failed to generate a breakthrough, Rubio ordered Araghchi and his delegation on Monday to leave the United States.
One U.S. official said Rubio concluded that the Iranian delegation had “overstayed their welcome.” Most members of the delegation departed shortly afterward.
The State Department subsequently learned, however, that two Iranian representatives were still in New York.
According to Axios, the Iranian mission to the United Nations was contacted Friday and informed that U.S. officials knew the two individuals remained in the country.
The State Department again instructed them to leave immediately. The first departed Friday night and the second Saturday morning. Iran is disputing Washington’s characterization of what happened.
Araghchi rejected reports Sunday that Iranian diplomats had been expelled and maintained that members of his delegation left according to previously established travel plans.
Iran had similarly disputed the administration’s account of Rubio’s original order.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations said earlier that Araghchi and his delegation had already planned their departure and had notified the State Department of that schedule on Sept. 17.
“The Iranian delegation left New York on Monday evening, in accordance with the schedule that had also been communicated to the U.S. Department of State in advance on September 17,” the mission said.
Iran accused the State Department of spreading a false account after diplomatic negotiations failed to produce an agreement. But U.S. officials have stood by their version of events.
The episode follows several days of unsuccessful diplomacy between the Trump administration and Tehran.
U.S. and Iranian representatives met indirectly on the sidelines of the General Assembly, with Qatar acting as an intermediary.
Among the major issues under discussion were the Strait of Hormuz, the continuing conflict and the possibility of restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal involving the Strait of Hormuz during the negotiations but has said he expects discussions eventually to resume.
Iranian state media, however, reported that no additional direct talks with Washington were currently scheduled.
The diplomatic breakdown comes as Trump continues to leave open the possibility of further military action against Iran.
Trump said in a recent interview that it was “possible” the United States could intensify strikes after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
He also said the American military had substantially replenished weapons inventories depleted during months of fighting and was producing missiles at an accelerated rate.
The administration has nevertheless continued to say a negotiated resolution remains possible.
The latest episode does not formally close the diplomatic channel. Qatar and other intermediaries could still attempt to restart negotiations, and Trump has repeatedly indicated that he remains willing to reach an agreement with Tehran.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
