Rubio orders Iranian delegation to leave US after negotiations hit impasse - Axios

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the Iranian delegation, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, to leave the United States after the latest round of talks between Washington and Tehran reached an impasse.

This was reported by Axios citing a US official and a second source familiar with the situation. According to them, the order was given on Monday, September 28.

Earlier that morning, the White House had been hopeful for possible progress in the talks with Iran. But by evening, it became clear that the sides could not narrow their differences. Qatari mediators tried to find a compromise between Washington and Tehran, but no significant breakthrough was achieved.

Following that, the US Mission to the UN, on Rubio's orders, informed the Iranian side that Araghchi's delegation must leave New York immediately. According to the US official, the high-level events of the UN General Assembly had already concluded and the delegation's stay was no longer considered justified.

According to Axios, a few hours later the Iranian delegation headed to the airport and departed New York for Doha in the early hours of Tuesday. Meanwhile, the second source noted that Araghchi had planned to leave the US at approximately the same time even without the US demand.

The Iranian mission to the UN denied the American version of events. Tehran stated that the delegation's departure was pre-planned and that the relevant schedule had been communicated to the US State Department as early as September 17. Thus, the sides describe the circumstances of the Iranian diplomats' departure differently.

The day before, Araghchi also said publicly that he had to leave New York in the coming hours and that further contacts with the US could take place through Qatari mediators. At that time he said that Qatar would convey Iranian proposals to Washington and later deliver the US response to Tehran.

The talks concern a possible end to the war, the restoration of full navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and the future of Iran's nuclear program. Previously, Axios reported that the sides remain far apart on key issues, despite Qatar's mediation efforts.

At the same time, diplomatic contacts have not stopped entirely. According to Axios, Qatari mediators continue to talk with Washington and Tehran about a compromise proposal.

Based on materials from: Axios, Al Jazeera