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Diplomacy · Hezbollah · Iran · Lebanon
Iran's Ambassador Mojtaba Amani defied an expulsion order from Lebanon's government, refusing to leave the country by Sunday, underscoring Beirut's challenged authority and escalating tensions with the powerful Hezbollah group.
Lebanon's government declared Ambassador Amani persona non grata and ordered his departure, simultaneously recalling its own ambassador from Tehran, citing Iranian interference in its internal affairs. An Iranian diplomatic source confirmed Amani's refusal, stating he would remain in line with the wishes of Hezbollah and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
This move triggered anger from Hezbollah, which accused Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji of succumbing to external pressure, leading four Shiite ministers to boycott a cabinet meeting. Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein al-Hajj Hassan explicitly stated the ambassador would not leave.
The situation highlights Lebanon's significant governmental weakness and its limited capacity to enforce decisions, particularly against Hezbollah's influence. While Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun have pledged to disarm Hezbollah and curb Iranian influence since the November 2024 ceasefire with Israel, they are widely perceived as lacking the power to translate these positions into action.
