Lebanon’s foreign ministry announced Tuesday that it has declared Iran’s ambassador persona non grata and demanded his departure by Sunday, accusing Tehran of overstepping diplomatic boundaries through its military involvement with Hezbollah, according to reports from Alsharq al-Awsat.
Ministry officials called in Iran’s charge d’affaires in Beirut to deliver the formal notification regarding Ambassador Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani. The ministry stated: “the Lebanese state’s decision to withdraw approval of the accreditation of the appointed Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani, and declare him persona non grata, demanding that he leave Lebanese territory no later than next Sunday.”
The diplomatic rift stems from Lebanese government claims that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been orchestrating Hezbollah’s military campaign against Israel, which Lebanese officials say violates proper diplomatic conduct between the nations.
Additionally, Lebanon has recalled its own ambassador from Tehran for discussions regarding what the foreign ministry characterized as Iran’s breach of diplomatic protocols and standard international practices.
Lebanese government officials have grown more critical of Hezbollah’s role in intensifying regional tensions, particularly pointing to the group’s rocket attacks on Israel launched March 2nd, which pulled Lebanon further into the broader conflict. These attacks occurred after Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed early in the fighting.
The Lebanese government has also implemented broader measures targeting Iranian citizens, previously directing Iranian nationals to depart the country.
Israeli forces have acknowledged conducting strikes in Lebanon specifically targeting IRGC operatives working alongside Hezbollah forces within Lebanese territory.
