US expels two Iranian diplomats after UN General Assembly

October 4, 2026 at 01:46 AM1 min

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The United States expelled two Iranian diplomats who remained in New York after the 81st UN General Assembly. The State Department had ordered the entire Iranian delegation to leave on September 28, and the two diplomats departed on October 2 and 3. The expulsion follows stalled US-Iran talks at the assembly.

Key Facts

The US expelled two Iranian diplomats who were part of the delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly in New York.
The State Department ordered the entire Iranian delegation to leave the US on Monday, September 28.
One diplomat departed on Friday evening, October 2, and the second on Saturday morning, October 3.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously ordered the Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to leave the country.
The expulsion came after US-Iran negotiations at the UN General Assembly reached an impasse.

Expulsion Details

Two members of the Iranian delegation to the 81st UN General Assembly were expelled from the United States. The diplomats were found in New York long after the assembly had concluded. The State Department had demanded on September 28 that the entire delegation leave immediately. On October 2, Washington informed Iran's UN mission that it knew of the two remaining diplomats and demanded their immediate departure. One diplomat left on Friday evening, October 2, and the second on Saturday morning, October 3.

Diplomatic Context

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously ordered the Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to leave the country. The order followed stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran at the UN General Assembly. Axios reported that the Iranian delegation had 'abused hospitality' by remaining in New York. The expulsion comes amid heightened tensions, with former President Trump having suggested possible renewed attacks on Iran after the November midterm elections.