The U.S. stated it "expelled" two Iranian diplomats, who were members of Iran’s delegation to the United Nations and had come to New York for the General Assembly. According to American officials, the diplomats remained in New York well after the conclusion of the assembly and failed to depart as instructed, leading to their removal.

Reuters and Axios cited U.S. State Department officials on Saturday, saying Secretary Rubio had previously directed Foreign Minister Araghchi and other Iranian envoys to leave early. One diplomat departed late Friday, while the other left Saturday morning. The U.S. also emphasized that Rubio was "serious" about the matter.

Iran’s UN mission denied the account, stating that its members departed according to a schedule communicated to the U.S. in advance. It accused the State Department of producing unfounded reports and achieving nothing.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Last month, negotiators from both sides met separately with mediators but reached no breakthrough. President Trump has recently threatened to "eliminate" Iran’s leadership, warning of potential new strikes if Tehran does not accept his peace terms.

Iranian officials and military leaders responded by asserting readiness to confront escalation. Supreme National Security Council Chairman Rezaei also mocked Trump on social media, stating that reality is determined not by rhetoric but by the Iranian people, soldiers, and missiles.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is reinforcing its military posture in the Middle East. The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the Makin Island amphibious ready group are en route to the region, bringing approximately 9,000 to 10,000 sailors and marines. The USS George Washington and USS George H.W. Bush are already deployed there. If all three carriers remain through late October, the U.S. could have three aircraft carriers operating simultaneously in the region.

Some U.S. officials believe Trump may resume large-scale military operations after the mid-term elections in mid-November. A Fox News poll shows that 71% of registered voters believe the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending conflict.

At its core, this episode reflects a new round of pressure and information warfare following failed negotiations. The U.S. uses the expulsion to signal resolve, while Iran counters by asserting compliance with pre-arranged plans, each side seeking to control the narrative.

As the United Nations headquarters is located in New York, the U.S., as host nation, holds authority over visas and residency for diplomatic personnel—but also bears obligations to facilitate UN activities. Determining which party breached agreements remains difficult based solely on statements from either side.

More concerning is that expelling diplomats often narrows channels of communication, increasing the risk of misjudgment. The simultaneous deployment of additional carriers and marines, coupled with Trump’s hardline rhetoric, pushes Iran toward a more defiant stance, further reducing space for negotiation.

The upcoming mid-term elections are another variable: the administration may avoid new conflicts before the vote, but may feel freer to act afterward. The fact that 71% of voters worry about a lack of exit strategy indicates domestic concern over the possibility of being trapped in prolonged conflict. For the Middle East, the concentration of three aircraft carriers is not a positive sign—any minor incident could be magnified.

To de-escalate, third-party mediation, clearly defined negotiation terms, and an end to mutual public humiliation are required. Otherwise, actions like the expulsion of diplomats may serve as precursors to larger confrontation.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878079627996227/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.