Expulsion of Iranian diplomats from New York

New York, Agencies: A U.S. official stated that two members of the Iranian delegation participating in the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York were “expelled” on Saturday, days after they had been ordered to leave, according to the Axios website. The official said, “Secretary Rubio makes decisions; it was discovered that two other members of the Iranian delegation were still in New York long after the UN General Assembly sessions had concluded, and they have now been expelled from the country.” This incident marks the latest sign of heightened tensions between the two countries, amid stalled diplomatic efforts to end the war and growing prospects of renewed fighting, according to the site. The U.S. official noted that the Iranian diplomats failed to comply with a U.S. State Department directive issued last Monday to the Iranian mission to the United Nations, ordering the entire delegation to leave the country immediately. On Friday, the Iranian mission to the UN was informed that the United States was aware of the diplomats’ presence in New York despite their prior orders to depart, and their immediate departure was reiterated.