As ceasefire negotiations between the United States and Iran have stalled, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly ordered the Iranian delegation visiting New York for the UN General Assembly to leave immediately. This action highlights the renewed distrust between the two nations as they struggle to narrow their differences in negotiations.
On September 30, Axios reported, citing multiple sources, that Rubio instructed the Iranian delegation to depart through the U.S. Mission to the United Nations on the evening of September 28. Included in the departure order was Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister and chief negotiator.
A U.S. official told Axios, "Secretary Rubio has sent away the Iranian delegation, which has overstayed its welcome. The UN General Assembly has concluded, so it is time for them to leave."
Prior to this, the Trump administration had made an unusual decision to grant entry visas to the Iranian delegation, which is in conflict with the U.S., allowing them to attend the UN General Assembly. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi visited the U.S. for the assembly, during which the two countries engaged in behind-the-scenes negotiations mediated by Qatar.
Initially, the White House had expected progress in negotiations with Iran as of the morning of September 28. However, by late afternoon, it became clear that both sides had failed to narrow their positions on key issues, leading to a stalemate. Consequently, Rubio issued the departure order that evening, and the Iranian delegation reportedly left for Doha on a flight at 1:20 a.m. on September 29.
However, other sources indicated that while the U.S. did issue a departure order, the Iranian delegation had planned to leave the U.S. regardless. President Pezeshkian had returned to Iran on September 26, and the remaining members of the delegation, including Araghchi, were also scheduled to return on September 29. Axios analyzed that the U.S. demand for the immediate departure of the Iranian delegation was an unusual diplomatic rebuke amid the stalled negotiations.
Earlier, Axios reported that Qatar had attempted to mediate a diplomatic breakthrough between the U.S. and Iran during the UN General Assembly, but both sides remained firm in their positions, resulting in little progress. The U.S. is demanding concessions regarding Iran's nuclear program, while Iran is focusing on issues related to U.S. maritime blockades, indicating significant gaps in their core positions.
Meanwhile, President Trump, when asked by reporters about the possibility of an agreement with Iran, reiterated the potential for military action. He stated at the White House, "We may have to blow them up. We need to make a decision. Either we reach an agreement or... but the time has come. It will end soon."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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