Iran has defied Lebanon's order to expel its ambassador, insisting that Mohammad Reza Shibani will remain in Beirut despite being declared persona non grata. The deadline for his departure passed on Sunday, but Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that the embassy remains active and the ambassador will continue his mission following discussions with Lebanese authorities.
Lebanon's decision to expel the ambassador was part of efforts to reduce Iran's diplomatic influence amid tensions linked to Hezbollah's conflict with Israel. The move has deepened divisions within Lebanon, where Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group, criticised the expulsion as a capitulation to external pressure. The group organised a rally near the Iranian embassy in support of the ambassador.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar mocked the situation, claiming that the Iranian ambassador is making a mockery of Lebanon, which he described as a virtual country occupied by Iran. Lebanon has been under increasing pressure to disarm Hezbollah, and earlier this month banned military activities by the group and Iran's Revolutionary Guard.
A Lebanese diplomatic official, speaking anonymously, said Iran had exerted extreme pressure on the government and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to reverse the expulsion. Beirut is concerned that Iran's inclusion of the Lebanon war in its conditions for dialogue with Washington could hinder efforts to disarm Hezbollah.
Hezbollah views Iran as a key ally, providing military deterrence and social services, particularly for Lebanon's Shiite community. Critics argue that Hezbollah's armed presence violates Lebanese sovereignty and strains relations with Arab and Western nations. The rift has complicated efforts to end the war, which has killed over 1,200 people and displaced more than one million.
President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam have condemned Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, which sparked the latest fighting, while also criticising Israel's invasion. They came to power pledging to disarm Hezbollah, but internal frictions have worsened, with Hezbollah officials warning against provocative actions by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, who ordered the ambassador's expulsion.
