Axios: Marco Rubio requests the departure of the Iranian delegation from New York after negotiations stall

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asked Iranian officials who were attending the U.N. General Assembly to leave the United States immediately. According to Axios, the order came after dialogue between Washington and Tehran stalled, based on statements by a U.S. official and a second source familiar with the situation.

Among the members of the delegation who were asked to leave New York was Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Marco Rubio’s counterpart. Sources cited by Axios said the delegation left for Doha several hours later.

A U.S. official said the Iranian representatives had remained in New York beyond the scheduled deadline and that, with the General Assembly having concluded, it was time for them to leave.

The development followed unsuccessful diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement between the United States and Iran. Mediators from Qatar have continued communicating with both sides in an effort to find a compromise on issues involving the war, the blockade and Iran’s nuclear program.

Tehran, meanwhile, rejected the claim that its delegation had been “expelled” from the United States. Arab News reported that the Iranian side denied that Marco Rubio had ordered its departure because of the failure of the negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the deadline for reaching an agreement is narrowing. Referring to the possibility of a deal with Iran, Trump said the United States could choose between an agreement and taking further steps against Tehran.

Recent meetings have focused, among other issues, on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is seeking the lifting of the blockade and sanctions relief, while the U.S. administration is demanding that Tehran make concessions regarding its nuclear activities.

Although the talks have made no progress, Qatari mediators continue their diplomatic efforts to build a compromise solution between the United States and Iran.