The United States has expelled two members of the Iranian delegation to the United Nations after they failed to leave the country following the recent General Assembly. According to a US State Department official, the two individuals were found to be still present in New York despite an order to depart. The official confirmed that the expulsion was carried out, adding that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio takes such matters seriously.

The incident occurred after the US State Department had requested that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation leave the country on Monday. However, the Iranian mission to the UN informed the US that two members of the delegation remained in the country, leading to their subsequent expulsion. The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the US and Iran.

According to reports, one member of the delegation departed on Friday evening, while the second individual left the country on Saturday morning. The expulsion follows a meeting between US and Iranian officials in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. During the meeting, US President Donald Trump had rejected a proposal from Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The US-Iran talks had been closely watched, with Trump expressing expectations of further discussions in the coming days. However, the Iranian state news agency Irna reported that there were no further direct talks planned between the two countries. The expulsion of the two delegation members has added to the existing tensions between the US and Iran.

The incident highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations between the US and Iran, with both countries maintaining a cautious approach to engagement. The UN General Assembly had provided a platform for discussions between the two nations, but the expulsion of the Iranian delegation members has raised questions about the prospects for future talks.

The move has been seen as a firm stance by the US on issues related to diplomatic protocol and visa compliance. The incident may have implications for future diplomatic engagements between the US and Iran, particularly in the context of the UN. The Iranian government has not issued an official statement on the matter.

The expulsion of the two Iranian delegation members underscores the ongoing challenges in US-Iran relations, with both countries seeking to navigate complex diplomatic issues. The incident serves as a reminder of the strict protocols in place for diplomatic missions and the consequences of non-compliance.

Key points

  • The US expelled two members of the Iranian delegation to the UN for overstaying their visas after the General Assembly.
  • The incident occurred despite a request from the US State Department for the Iranian delegation to leave the country.
  • The expulsion has added to the existing tensions between the US and Iran, with implications for future diplomatic engagements.

Share this story

Written by

SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.