The United States expelled Iran's deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Saadat Aghajani, in December, along with two other members of the Iranian delegation.
The expulsions followed reports that Aghajani had left a designated area, violating established movement restrictions for Iranian diplomats. The U.S. State Department confirmed the action but declined to provide specific details, citing privacy and security.
Details of the Expulsion
Saadat Aghajani was asked to depart the U.S. in December. His expulsion, which was not publicly announced at the time, was handled under "section 13 procedures," an internal U.S. State Department process for diplomatic expulsions.
Two other members of the Iranian delegation were also expelled around the same period, with some reports indicating two junior diplomats were expelled in the months preceding Aghajani's departure.
On December 4, the State Department delivered a Note Verbale concerning the status of certain Iranian personnel at the UN. State Department officials clarified that this action predated and was unrelated to the protests ongoing in Iran.
Prior Restrictions and Subsequent Actions
In September, the U.S. State Department had restricted the movement of Iranian diplomats at the UN mission to a 25-mile radius from central Manhattan.
The reason cited for Aghajani's expulsion was his reported departure from this designated area.
Following Aghajani's departure, his children, who had remained in New York, were also asked to leave the U.S. in February.
Official Responses
The U.S. State Department confirmed the delivery of the Note Verbale but did not comment further on the specifics of diplomatic personnel actions, citing privacy and security reasons. Iran's mission to the United Nations declined to comment on the matter.