US orders Iranian delegation to leave New York ahead of schedule

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iran’s foreign minister and his delegation to leave New York earlier than planned, according to two US officials familiar with the decision. The officials said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had remained in the city after Iran’s president departed, ostensibly to participate in indirect discussions involving the United States. The talks concerned reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the conflict and resuming negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left New York one day after speaking at the United Nations General Assembly. Araghchi had reportedly planned to stay until Wednesday, but the delegation departed very early on Tuesday. The officials said the decision followed weekend meetings involving Iranian and Qatari mediators that produced little progress.

Rubio reportedly told the Iranians on Monday that Araghchi and his delegation had to leave immediately. One official said Rubio had determined that the Iranian group had “overstayed their welcome” because the high-level United Nations meetings had ended. The officials spoke anonymously because they were discussing an internal administration process.

The Trump administration had granted visas to Iran’s president, foreign minister and their delegations to attend the annual gathering, although the visas came with severe restrictions. The move allowed the Iranian officials to travel to the United States despite hostilities between the two countries. The order was first reported by Axios.

The source material does not provide an Iranian response, details of the restrictions placed on the delegation or further information about the indirect discussions.