As the deadline set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants for the Iranian ambassador to leave Lebanon expired, his departure was not recorded. He relied on the position of the Shiite duo, meaning that the situation arising from his non-compliance with the request to leave will strip him of diplomatic status and immunity, even if he remains within the embassy as an "Iranian citizen," thereby breaching Lebanese law without leaving it. Should he depart, security forces will be required to arrest and deport him immediately.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants

The French Press Agency reported yesterday, Sunday, citing a diplomatic source, that Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani refused to comply with the government’s decision to leave the country, a move that could heighten diplomatic tensions between the two sides.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed him—having assumed his duties at the end of February—last week of “withdrawing approval of his accreditation and demanding his departure by a deadline no later than next Sunday,” following accusations from Lebanese officials that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was managing Hezbollah’s operations in the war against Israel.

For his part, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commented today on the Iranian ambassador’s situation, saying: “The Iranian ambassador is still sipping his coffee in Beirut despite the Lebanese Foreign Ministry’s declaration that he is persona non grata.”