The U.S. State Department kicked out two members of Iran’s delegation from New York on Saturday after they defied a prior order to leave the country. The officials were told to depart on Monday but remained until Friday and Saturday, with one leaving Friday night and the other early Saturday morning.
The expulsions come after a brief meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly earlier that week. President Trump had dismissed Tehran’s recent bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but said talks could resume in the coming days.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department’s actions "mean business" and that the expulsions were a clear signal. U.S. media reported that the State Department had told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave.
The two diplomats have been placed on a U.S. exit list and will face a travel ban pending further diplomatic negotiations.