Orders Issued Following Negotiation Deadlock
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed the Iranian delegation participating in the United Nations General Assembly meetings to leave the country immediately on Monday. This directive came after diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran reached a complete standstill. According to a US official and another informed source cited by Axios, the order was issued late Monday evening, signaling a significant deterioration in relations despite ongoing efforts to resolve regional conflicts.
The Incident Unfolds
The situation escalated throughout Monday as the White House initially believed that progress might be achieved in discussions with Iran later that day. However, by late afternoon, it became clear that negotiations had hit an impasse. Consequently, the US Mission to the United Nations formally notified the Iranian mission that the delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi must depart New York without delay.
The official stated that the Iranian side had exceeded the permitted duration for their stay, noting that the General Assembly sessions had concluded and it was time for them to leave. The order specifically targeted Araghchi, who serves as the counterpart to Rubio. Despite the abrupt nature of the expulsion, which described as an unusual diplomatic rebuke reflecting deep mutual distrust, the Iranian delegation complied with the request.
Departure and Regional Context
The Iranian delegation, including Araghchi, left New York several hours after receiving the notice. They traveled to the airport and boarded a flight bound for Doha, departing at 1:20 AM on Tuesday. A second source confirmed that the US demanded the departure but clarified that Araghchi was already scheduled to return to Tehran on Monday night regardless of the diplomatic friction.
This incident highlights the fragile state of US-Iran relations amid broader geopolitical tensions. While the direct negotiation channel appears severed, Qatari mediators continue to engage with both sides regarding a proposed compromise settlement. Sources indicated that these intermediaries are actively working to bridge the gap, although the immediate aftermath of the expulsion suggests a temporary cooling of high-level diplomatic engagement.
