Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally revoked its approval for Iran’s designated ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, declaring him persona non grata and requiring him to leave the country by Sunday, March 29.

The decision was communicated to Iran’s chargé d’affaires in Lebanon, Tofigh Samadi, who was summoned to the ministry and met with Secretary-General Ambassador Abdel Sattar Issa. During the meeting, Lebanese officials informed him of the government’s decision and the expectation that Sheibani would depart within the specified timeframe.

In a statement, the ministry clarified that the decision, taken under Article 9 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, does not constitute a severance of diplomatic relations with Iran. Instead, it is a measure directed specifically at Ambassador Sheibani for actions deemed inconsistent with his role as an accredited diplomat in Lebanon.

In a related step, Lebanon also called in its ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweidan, for consultations. The ministry cited what it described as Tehran’s breach of established diplomatic norms and standard protocols governing bilateral relations.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Sheibani made statements interfering in Lebanon’s domestic politics and commenting on government decisions, in violation of Article 41 of the Vienna Convention, which prohibits diplomats from intervening in the internal affairs of the host country. It also said he conducted meetings with unofficial Lebanese parties without prior coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The ministry remains committed to maintaining the best possible relations of friendship with the Islamic Republic of Iran and with other countries, based on mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others," the statement noted.

Later, Hezbollah condemned the foreign ministry for expelling the newly appointed Iranian ambassador, describing the action as a “sin” and demanding that authorities “immediately overturn” the decision.

In a statement, the Iran-aligned militia called on the president and prime minister to intervene, arguing that the foreign minister’s move carries “dangerous consequences” and labeling it a “national and strategic sin.”