Rubio Reportedly Ordered Iran Delegation to Leave US After Talks Stalled
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — WEB DESK: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered an Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to leave New York earlier than planned after indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran failed to produce a breakthrough, according to US officials.
The directive was communicated to Iran’s mission to the United Nations on Monday evening, with Araghchi and other members of the delegation told to leave New York immediately.
The Iranian officials had travelled to the United States for the annual United Nations General Assembly, where diplomatic efforts were underway to narrow differences between Washington and Tehran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had already departed following his UN engagements, while Araghchi remained in New York for further indirect negotiations.
Qatar was mediating between the two sides as officials explored possible compromises involving the wider conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions and Iran’s nuclear programme.
However, the negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough.
A US official said the Iranian delegation had remained beyond the main UN meetings and that Washington saw no reason for it to continue staying in New York once negotiations reached an impasse.
Araghchi and his delegation subsequently left New York for Doha early Tuesday.
Iran, however, disputed the US account and denied that its diplomats had been expelled or forced to leave unexpectedly.
Tehran said the delegation departed according to a previously arranged travel schedule that had already been communicated to the US State Department.
The competing accounts add another layer of tension to already difficult diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Despite the setback, mediation has not completely ended. Qatar continues to communicate with both sides in an effort to identify possible areas of compromise.
The latest episode comes as the United States and Iran remain divided over several major issues, including sanctions, nuclear restrictions, regional security and arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
Neither side has announced a comprehensive agreement, leaving the diplomatic process uncertain as mediators continue efforts to prevent another escalation.
