Lebanon has announced the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador, ordering the diplomat to leave the country by next Sunday. The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared the ambassador persona non grata, effectively ending his mission in Beirut. A ministry spokesperson, Denis Rahme, told the Associated Press that although the ambassador will depart, a chargé d’affaires will remain in charge of the Iranian embassy to maintain basic diplomatic functions.

The decision marks a further deterioration in Lebanon-Iran relations, which have been strained since the 2024 conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. That war deepened regional divisions and placed Lebanon’s foreign policy under increasing pressure. The expulsion reflects the ongoing fallout from those tensions and Lebanon’s attempt to recalibrate its diplomatic stance.

It remains unclear how Tehran will respond to the move or whether it will affect broader regional alignments involving Iran and its allies.