Iran defies Lebanon’s expulsion order: Ambassador stays in Beirut

On March 30, Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that its ambassador remains in Beirut and the embassy continues to operate, despite Lebanon’s order to expel him.

According to Iran International, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated: “We have followed up reports about our ambassador. Our embassy is open and our ambassador continues his work in Beirut and remains present.”

I instructed today the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to summon the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in Lebanon to inform him of the decision to withdraw the agrément for the designated Iranian Ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declare him persona…

— Youssef Raggi (@YoussefRaggi) March 24, 2026

Lebanon withdrew its approval for the appointment of Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani and demanded that he leave the country by March 29. Beirut also declared him persona non grata and recalled its own ambassador from Iran.

This development occurred after Gideon Saar stated that the Iranian ambassador remained in Beirut after the deadline and described Lebanon as being under Iranian influence.