Iran announced Monday that its diplomatic representative to Lebanon will stay in Beirut, openly defying Lebanese officials who ordered him to depart the country.
The diplomatic crisis has become a flashpoint in the broader conflict engulfing Lebanon, where Iranian-supported Hezbollah forces are battling Israeli troops. Lebanon’s government has sharply criticized Hezbollah for dragging the nation into the regional conflict on Iran’s behalf and has called for negotiations with Israel.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry withdrew diplomatic recognition from ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Shibani last week, setting a March 29 deadline for his departure. Officials cited violations of diplomatic protocol, saying Shibani had inappropriately commented on Lebanon’s domestic political affairs.
However, influential Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a prominent Shiite leader allied with Hezbollah, has opposed the ministry’s action and urged Shibani to stay, according to sources close to Berri.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced at a press briefing that Shibani would continue his diplomatic duties in Beirut.
“Considering the discussions raised by the relevant Lebanese parties and the conclusions reached, the Iranian ambassador will continue his work as ambassador in Beirut and is still present there,” Baghaei said.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry has not issued any public response since the departure deadline expired and did not immediately answer requests for comment.
The Middle Eastern nation became embroiled in warfare on March 2 when Hezbollah launched attacks supporting Iran, prompting Israeli military operations that have resulted in more than 1,200 Lebanese deaths and forced over one million people from their homes.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose government had sought to peacefully disarm Hezbollah, condemned the group’s decision to attack Israel as ignoring the wishes of most Lebanese citizens and has prohibited its military operations.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who had commended Lebanon’s expulsion order last week, observed Monday that the deadline had passed while the Iranian diplomat remained in place.
“Lebanon is a virtual state that is, in practice, occupied by Iran,” Saar wrote on X, adding that the Iranian ambassador “is sipping his coffee in Beirut, mocking the host ‘country’.”
