Rubio Orders Iranian Delegation to Leave US as Peace Talks Remain Deadlocked/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iranian negotiators to leave the United States after stalled talks, according to a U.S. official, while Iran said their departure was already scheduled. President Donald Trump said stronger bombing after the November midterms was possible and claimed the military had spent months rebuilding its weapons supplies. Negotiations remain divided over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear commitments and economic relief as elevated fuel prices weigh on consumers.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, right, steps out of his plane in Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025. (AP)
Quick Look
- Departure disputed: A U.S. official confirmed Rubio told the delegation to leave; Iran said its departure plans had been communicated on Sept. 17.
- Trump leaves escalation open: He described increased bombing after the midterms as “possible.”
- Weapons buildup claimed: Trump said the United States had been replenishing its arsenal for six months.
- Qatar mediates: Indirect negotiations aim to end the conflict and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Seven-day proposal: Talks have focused on confidence-building measures and reviving a June framework.
- Concessions remain contested: The sides disagree over the timing of maritime access, nuclear steps and economic relief.
- Energy costs remain high: The report put Wednesday’s average gasoline price at about $4.43 a gallon and diesel above $6.40.
- Strategic waterway: Before the war, roughly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through Hormuz.
Deep Look
Rubio Tells Iranian Negotiators to Leave After Stalled Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation to leave New York after weekend negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough, according to a U.S. official cited by Fox News Digital.
The official confirmed the account after Axios first reported it.
Rubio delivered the message Monday after meetings involving Iranian officials and Qatari mediators made little progress. He concluded that the delegation had “overstayed their welcome” following the end of high-level United Nations meetings.
Araghchi had remained in New York for indirect discussions about restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ending the war and restarting negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran Says Departure Was Already Arranged
Araghchi and his team departed early Tuesday, according to the report.
Iran rejected the suggestion that Rubio’s instruction determined their departure, saying a Monday-night departure had already been scheduled and communicated to the State Department on Sept. 17.
The conflicting accounts added tension to a diplomatic process already struggling to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.
Trump Leaves Open More Bombing After Midterms
In an interview with Time published Thursday, Trump was asked whether he would “ramp up bombing after the midterms.”
“Possible,” he replied.
Pressed on whether an escalation was under consideration, Trump declined to discuss potential targets but said the United States had rebuilt its weapons supplies.
“We have a lot of weapons. You know, we’ve been stocking up for the last six months,” Trump said.
He also responded “possible” when asked whether he “might annihilate Iran.”
The remarks left the prospect of additional military action open without announcing a specific operational plan.
Seven-Day Proposal Seeks to Restore Maritime Access
The latest negotiations have centered on a seven-day confidence-building proposal intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive a June framework that briefly stopped the fighting.
Qatar has carried messages between the two governments as they work through disagreements over the sequence of concessions.
Outstanding questions include when Iran would restore access through the strait, what steps it would take on its nuclear program and what economic relief Washington would provide in exchange.
The dispute over timing has prevented the sides from reaching an agreement.
Trump Rejects Latest Offer and Denies Relief Proposals
Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal over the weekend.
He subsequently described Tehran’s offer to reopen the strait as “not good enough. Nearly.”
Trump also denied reports that he had offered sanctions relief or access to frozen Iranian funds in return for progress on nuclear issues.
During his United Nations General Assembly speech last week, he reiterated that his administration would seek to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Recovering Oil Exports Offer Limited Relief
Despite the negotiating stalemate, oil shipments from the region have been recovering.
Estimates cited by major banks placed recent Middle Eastern exports near prewar levels, easing some concerns about the supply disruption that drove prices sharply higher earlier in the conflict.
However, recovering exports have not eliminated uncertainty about a durable agreement or the restoration of normal shipping conditions.
Elevated Fuel Prices Continue to Pressure Americans
The report said Brent crude settled above $103 a barrel Wednesdaywhile U.S. crude closed above $90.
Oil recorded substantial September gains as traders weighed stalled negotiations against improving regional supplies.
At the pump, the national average price for regular gasoline was approximately $4.43 a gallon Wednesday, compared with about $3.15 a year earlier.
Diesel prices stood above $6.40 a gallonadding further pressure to transportation costs.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Central to Talks and Energy Markets
Before the war, approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Its importance makes even a partial disruption consequential for international energy prices.
Restoring dependable access remains a central negotiating objective, linking the prospects for peace with the economic pressures facing consumers and businesses.
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