30.03.2026 20:01
Lebanon has announced that Iran's ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad Reza Shibani, who was declared an 'undesirable person', will continue his duties. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had revoked Shibani's accreditation, stating that he violated diplomatic protocols, and requested him to leave the country. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagayi announced that Shibani will continue his duties and is still in Beirut. This situation may deepen the diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
Iran announced that the ambassador to Beirut, Mohammad Reza Shibani, who was declared "persona non grata" by Lebanon and asked to leave the country, will continue his duties. The decision escalated the diplomatic crisis between the two countries and brought the regional tensions back to the forefront.
A DEADLINE WAS SET UNTIL MARCH 29
The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs canceled Shibani's accreditation, stating that he violated diplomatic norms, and requested him to leave the country by March 29. It was stated that the decision stemmed from the ambassador's statements regarding the country's internal politics.
NO BACKTRACKING FROM IRAN
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Bagayi announced that Shibani will continue his duties and is still in Beirut. This statement indicated that the crisis has turned into a diplomatic standoff.
HEZBOLLAH'S INFLUENCE ON TENSION
It is noted that the crisis emerged in the shadow of the disagreements between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. The Lebanese administration criticizes Hezbollah's involvement in regional conflicts and is taking steps towards disarming the organization.
ISRAEL IS ALSO INVOLVED
Gideon Saar criticized Iran's stance, describing the ambassador's continued presence in Beirut as "an insult to Lebanon." Saar claimed that Lebanon is under Iran's influence.
DIPLOMATIC CRISIS MAY DEEPEN
While it is expected that a diplomat declared "persona non grata" in international law will leave the country, the refusal of this situation is considered a rare crisis. According to experts, if the ambassador does not leave, the lifting of diplomatic immunity and the process of expulsion may come to the agenda.
This development also brings the possibility of mutual retaliation between the two countries, with comments suggesting that the crisis may deepen further.