"Oozes of desperation": Iran slams US reports of diplomat expulsion
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi rejects claims that diplomats were kicked out of the US, calling reports of "expulsion" a sign of desperation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has launched a scathing attack against reports claiming that Iranian diplomats were "kicked out" of the United States following the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Araghchi dismissed the allegations, asserting that the diplomatic mission departed according to their original schedule.
Araghchi denies "expulsion" claims
Taking to the social media platform X, Araghchi addressed a report suggesting that two members of Iran's delegation had been forcibly removed from the country. The reports alleged that the diplomats failed to comply with a US State Department order to depart, leading to their sudden expulsion.
"All Iranian diplomats who attended UNGA, except one who departed earlier, left as scheduled," Araghchi stated, directly contradicting the narrative of a forced exit. He further criticized those celebrating the alleged incident, stating that taking pride in a fake diplomatic expulsion is inappropriate for any head of a diplomatic corps. He added that such claims "oozes of desperation and defeat" and represent a failure to meet UN host nation obligations.
The Axios report and US official claims
The controversy stems from a report by Axios, which cited a US official claiming that two members of the Iranian delegation were indeed "kicked out" of the United States on a Saturday. According to the official, the diplomats had been instructed to leave several days prior but remained in New York, prompting a second, more urgent demand for their immediate departure.
The US official highlighted the following timeline regarding the incident:
- The US State Department directed the Iranian mission to ensure the entire delegation left immediately.
- Despite being informed that US authorities were aware of their presence, the diplomats remained in the city.
- One diplomat reportedly left New York on Friday night, while the second departed on Saturday morning.
The official noted that the administration, under Secretary Rubio, was serious about the directive, stating, "Two more members of the Iranian delegation were found still in New York long after the UN General Assembly had passed. They have now been kicked out of the country."
Strained ties amid West Asia tensions
This diplomatic friction occurs at a time of extreme volatility in the region. Tensions between Washington and Tehran remain at a boiling point as efforts to de-escalate conflicts in West Asia face significant hurdles. The reported confrontation regarding the Iranian delegation's departure serves as a stark reminder of the deeply strained relationship between the two nations.