Lebanon's deadline for Iranian ambassador-designate Mohammad Reza Shibani to leave the country expired on Sunday without confirmation of his departure. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs withdrew his accreditation and declared him persona non grata, citing statements seen as interference in Lebanon's internal politics and violations of diplomatic norms. Officials said he may legally remain inside the Iranian embassy under diplomatic immunity but would face deportation if he leaves its grounds.

The decision sparked protests from Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, whose ministers boycotted a cabinet session in response. Supporters gathered outside the Iranian embassy, condemning the move as a political escalation that could harm relations between Lebanon and Iran. The government stressed that the measure does not sever diplomatic ties but is intended to uphold mutual respect and non-interference.

The dispute unfolds amid heightened regional tensions following Israeli and United States strikes on Iran and Hezbollah's subsequent involvement in hostilities along Lebanon's southern border. Additional concern arose after Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that universities affiliated with the United States in the Middle East could face retaliatory attacks. The American University of Beirut shifted to online instruction temporarily, saying it had no evidence of a direct threat but was prioritizing community safety.