US Orders Iranian Delegation Out as Trump Warns of Increased Strikes

Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered Iran's delegation to leave the United States as diplomatic negotiations stalled, with no clear resolution in sight after more than seven months of conflict. President Donald Trump also issued a warning, stating that it is "possible" he will intensify strikes in the Middle East following the November midterm elections, and revealed that the U.S. military has significantly rebuilt its arsenal in recent months.

The White House and State Department's latest communications signal a deteriorating diplomatic path, following days of negotiations that failed to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran over the terms for ending the war.

In an interview with TIME, Trump responded "Possible" when asked if he would "ramp up bombing after the midterms." He further elaborated that the U.S. had spent months "stocking up" on weapons. Trump also used the word "possible" when asked if he "might annihilate Iran."

Rubio informed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his delegation that they needed to leave New York on Monday, a U.S. official confirmed. Rubio stated that the Iranians had "overstayed their welcome" after high-level United Nations meetings had concluded. Araghchi had remained in the city for indirect discussions aimed at lifting the blockade on oil and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, ending the conflict, and resuming talks on Iran's nuclear program.

Iran disputed the U.S. account of the departure, asserting that the delegation's exit had been scheduled and communicated to the State Department on September 17. The order to leave represents a significant diplomatic rebuff at a time when mediators are still attempting to keep negotiations active.

The recent talks have focused on a seven-day confidence-building proposal intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and revive a June framework that temporarily halted hostilities. Qatar has been facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran, with disagreements persisting primarily over the sequence of concessions. These include when Iran would reopen the strait, the nuclear steps Tehran would undertake, and the economic relief the U.S. would provide in return.

Trump had previously rejected Iran's latest proposal over the weekend, stating that Tehran's offer to reopen the strait was "not good enough. Nearly." He denied reports that he had offered sanctions relief or the release of frozen Iranian assets in exchange for progress on the nuclear issue.

Despite the diplomatic stalemate, oil flows through the region have shown signs of recovery. Estimates from major banks suggest recent Middle East exports are nearing pre-war levels, which has helped alleviate some of the supply concerns that previously drove crude prices upward. However, the absence of a comprehensive deal continues to impact energy markets, with Brent crude settling above $103 a barrel and U.S. crude closing above $90 recently, reflecting market concerns over the stalled U.S.-Iran talks alongside the supply recovery.