Beirut – March 2026 Lebanon has officially expelled Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheybani, declaring him persona non grata and ordering him to leave the country by Sunday, March 29. Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji announced the decision, instructing the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires and formally notify him of the revocation of accreditation.
Rajji stated that the move was taken “in light of Tehran’s violation of diplomatic norms.” In a parallel step, Lebanon has summoned its own ambassador in Iran back to Beirut for consultations.
The expulsion marks a sharp deterioration in diplomatic relations between Beirut and Tehran, traditionally close due to Iran’s longstanding support for Hezbollah. The decision comes amid intense pressure on the Lebanese government to enforce the U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Israel and implement UN Resolution 1701, which requires the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River.
Lebanese officials have not publicly detailed the specific violation that triggered the expulsion, but it follows repeated Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets and growing international calls for Lebanon to distance itself from Iranian influence.
