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Lebanon extends visa of Iran's ambassador Sheibani after persona non grata designation

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Lebanon has extended the visa of Iran's ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, despite declaring him persona non grata.
  • Sheibani refused to leave the country in March after the designation, which followed accusations of violating diplomatic norms.
  • Lebanese sources claim the government succumbed to Iranian pressure, a move previously praised by Israeli officials as a step against Iranian influence.

Lebanon has extended the visa for Iran's ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, even after declaring him persona non grata, according to a KAN News report. Sheibani had previously refused to leave Lebanon following the March designation, which was issued after the Lebanese Foreign Ministry cited Iran's violations of diplomatic norms.

I instructed today the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants to summon the Iranian Chargé d’Affaires in Lebanon to inform him of the decision to withdraw the agrément for the designated Iranian Ambassador, Mohammad Reza Shibani, declare him persona non grata, and request that he leave Lebanese territory no later than 29 March, 2026.

— Youssef RaggiLebanese Foreign Minister confirming the initial decision to expel the ambassador.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi had confirmed at the time that Sheibani was to be declared persona non grata and asked to leave by March 29, 2026. However, a Lebanese anti-Hezbollah political source told Haaretz that Lebanese authorities "panicked and succumbed to Iranian pressure" to reverse the expulsion. The source specifically pointed to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam as succumbing to this pressure.

the country's authorities "panicked and succumbed to Iranian pressure" to rescind the expulsion

— Lebanese anti-Hezbollah political sourceDescribing the alleged reason behind Lebanon's decision to extend the ambassador's visa.

Sheibani, who previously served as Iran's ambassador to Lebanon in the early 2000s, was reappointed to the role in February before the expulsion order. At the time of the initial expulsion, Israeli officials viewed the move positively. Sarit Zehavi, founder and president of the Alma Research and Education Center, emphasized its importance, stating the Iranian embassy traditionally functions as a branch of the IRGC and has been used to activate Hezbollah in Lebanon.

This is very important because the Iranian embassy is traditionally known as a branch of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps). The IRGC operated from within this embassy for many years to activate Hezbollah in Lebanon.

— Sarit ZehaviExplaining the significance of expelling the Iranian ambassador.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also praised the expulsion, calling it a "justified and necessary step against the state responsible for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty." He urged the Lebanese government to take further measures against Hezbollah, whose representatives hold ministerial positions within the government.

This is a step in the right direction.

— Sarit ZehaviCommenting on Lebanon's initial decision to expel the ambassador.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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