Lebanon extends visa of Iran's ambassador Sheibani following persona non grata designation – report

Lebanon has extended the visa of Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani, despite previously declaring him persona non grata and ordering his expulsion by March 29, 2026. Sheibani had refused to leave after the Lebanese Foreign Ministry summoned him in March over Iran's violations of diplomatic norms. A Lebanese anti-Hezbollah source suggested that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam "panicked and succumbed to Iranian pressure" to rescind the expulsion. Israeli officials had initially praised the expulsion, with Sarit Zehavi stating, "This is very important because the Iranian embassy is traditionally known as a branch of the IRGC." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called it a "justified and necessary step against the state responsible for violating Lebanon's sovereignty."