U.S. Expels Iranian Deputy Ambassador Amid National Security Concerns

In December 2025, the U.S. State Department expelled Iranian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Saadat Aghajani, citing national security concerns. According to a report by Axios, the expulsion was communicated through a Note Verbale delivered on December 4, requesting Aghajani to leave the country immediately. An unnamed State Department official confirmed the action but refrained from providing specific details regarding the diplomatic personnel involved, citing privacy and security reasons. Additionally, Aghajani's children were also asked to depart the U.S. in February 2026.

The Jerusalem Post

This incident marks the latest in a series of expulsions of Iranian diplomats in New York, with at least three such actions occurring within a six-month timeframe. Prior to Aghajani's expulsion, two junior Iranian diplomats were also removed from the U.S. The State Department had previously imposed restrictions on the movements of Iranian UN diplomats, confining them to a 25-mile radius from central Manhattan. The expulsions were reportedly unrelated to the protests in Iran that erupted in January 2026, as they occurred before those events.

The Jerusalem Post

The U.S. State Department's actions reflect ongoing concerns regarding Iranian diplomatic activities in the U.S. An unnamed official stated, "We can confirm that the United States delivered a Note Verbale on December 4 regarding the status of certain Iranian personnel at the UN." The use of "section 13 procedures" allowed for Aghajani's departure without formal charges, a process typically employed when a diplomat is suspected of actions contrary to U.S. national security interests.

The Jerusalem Post

Critics of the expulsion argue that such actions may escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly in light of the ongoing geopolitical climate. The Iranian government has historically viewed the expulsion of its diplomats as a violation of international diplomatic norms, potentially undermining diplomatic relations.

The Jerusalem Post

While the U.S. government has confirmed the expulsion of Aghajani, specific details regarding the reasons for the national security concerns remain undisclosed. There is also a lack of clarity on the implications of these expulsions for U.S.-Iran relations moving forward.

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• “We can confirm that the United States delivered a Note Verbale on December 4 regarding the status of certain Iranian personnel at the UN,” — Unnamed State Department Official

The Jerusalem Post

• “An unnamed State Department official noted that the expulsion measures were unrelated to the January 2026 Iran protests, having occured before they began.” — Unnamed State Department Official

The Jerusalem Post

This expulsion of Saadat Aghajani underscores the complexities of U.S.-Iran diplomatic relations and raises questions about the future of Iranian representation at the United Nations.

The Jerusalem Post