Lebanon orders Iranian ambassador-designate to leave country

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji has ordered the designated Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani, to leave the country. The Lebanese government maintains that Sheibani was declared persona non grata in March and that his continued presence violates sovereign decisions. While the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that Sheibani will remain in his post, Lebanese officials argue that any previous visas or residency permits are no longer legally valid following the persona non grata declaration.

This diplomatic standoff occurs amid significant regional instability and economic hardship in Lebanon. The World Bank has projected a 6.4% contraction of Lebanon's GDP for 2026, citing the impact of war, declining tourism, and rising inflation driven by supply chain disruptions and increased energy costs.