In a significant diplomatic escalation, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants announced on Tuesday that the Lebanese state has withdrawn its approval of the Iranian ambassador-designate, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, and declared him persona non grata.
The ministry stated in an official statement that it summoned the Iranian chargé d’affaires in Beirut, Tawfiq Samadi Khoshkho, and that the ministry’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Abdul Sattar Issa, informed him of the Lebanese government’s decision. The ministry also demanded that the designated ambassador leave Lebanese territory no later than Sunday, March 29, 2026.
In a parallel move reflecting the depth of the diplomatic crisis, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced the recall of its ambassador to Tehran, Ahmed Sweidan, to Beirut for consultations. The ministry explained that these decisive steps were a result of what it described as Tehran’s violation of diplomatic norms and established protocols between the two countries. It also affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to its sovereignty and the necessity of respecting international diplomatic frameworks in relations between states. As of yet, there has been no official comment from the Iranian side regarding this unexpected move.
