Lebanon declares Iran’s ambassador ‘persona non grata'

Lebanon has declared Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani persona non grata, ordering him to leave country, the foreign ministry has announced. 

In a post on X, the ministry said: "This does not constitute a severing of diplomatic relations with Iran, but rather a measure taken against the ambassador for violating diplomatic norms and obligations as an appointed ambassador to Lebanon."

"Ambassador Shibani made statements in which he interfered in the internal politics of Lebanon and assessed the decisions taken by the government. In addition, he held meetings with unofficial Lebanese parties without going through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," it added.

The ministry said that the Lebanese ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweidan, has also been recalled for consultations.

1-على ضوء ما يتم تداوله في وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي والإعلام. يهم وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين إيضاح ما يلي: قرار سحب الموافقة على اعتماد السفير الإيراني محمد رضا رؤوف شيباني سندا للمادة ٩ من اتفاقية فيينا للعلاقات الدبلوماسية،

— Mofa Lebanon (@mofalebanon1) March 24, 2026