Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected reports that two Iranian diplomats were “kicked out” of the United States after attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said all Iranian diplomats who attended the UNGA had left the country as scheduled, except one who had departed earlier.

Araghchi made the remarks in a post on X while sharing a screenshot of a report claiming that two members of Iran’s UNGA delegation had been expelled from the US for allegedly failing to follow a State Department order to leave.

“All Iranian diplomats who attended UNGA, except one who departed earlier, left as scheduled,” Araghchi said.

He also criticised the reported description of the diplomats’ departure as an expulsion. Araghchi said such claims were inappropriate for the head of a diplomatic corps and accused the US of failing to meet its responsibilities as the host country of the United Nations.

“Taking pride in fake diplomat "expulsion" is inappropriate for the head of any diplomatic corps. It oozes of desperation and defeat and is inconsistent with UN host nation obligations,” the post read.

Araghchi’s comments came after Axios reported that two Iranian diplomats were “kicked out” of the US on Saturday. The report cited a US official who said the diplomats had been ordered to leave several days earlier but remained in New York.

According to Axios, the State Department had directed Iran’s mission to the UN on Monday to ensure that its entire delegation left the country immediately. However, two members were still in New York despite the instruction.

“Secretary Rubio means business. 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,” the US official told Axios.

The official said the Iranian mission was informed on Friday that US authorities knew the two diplomats were still in New York despite the earlier order to leave. Iran was then told again that the two diplomats had to depart immediately.

According to the official, one of the diplomats left New York on Friday night, while the second departed on Saturday morning.

The dispute comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. Diplomatic efforts to end the war have faced difficulties, while concerns remain over the possibility of renewed fighting in West Asia.

The reported action adds to the strain between the two countries, with Washington taking action against Iranian diplomatic personnel over their alleged failure to comply with the State Department’s departure order.