Hezbollah Condemns Lebanon’s Expulsion of Iranian Ambassador as a Strategic Sin Amid Accusations of IRGC Interference

Hezbollah demands Lebanon reverse its "national sin" after the Foreign Ministry expelled the Iranian ambassador over IRGC interference claims.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 12:44 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP and additional reporting from Al-Monitor and i24NEWS.

Hezbollah Demands Immediate Reversal of Diplomatic Ousting

In a sharp escalation of domestic political tension, Hezbollah has formally called on Lebanon’s President and Prime Minister to override the Foreign Ministry’s decision to expel Ambassador Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani. In a statement released on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the group described the expulsion as a "sin" with "dangerous repercussions" for the country's internal stability. The group argued that the move undermines national unity at a time when Lebanon is increasingly embroiled in the broader regional conflict between Israel and Iran.

Breach of Norms and Accusations of IRGC Command

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry’s decision to withdraw Sheibani's accreditation follows a series of public accusations regarding Tehran’s direct role in the country's security affairs. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and other officials have recently alleged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is actively commanding Hezbollah’s military operations against Israel. The ministry cited these "violations of diplomatic norms and established practices" as the primary reason for declaring the ambassador persona non grata and ordering his departure by Sunday, March 29.

The State’s Effort to Reclaim Diplomatic Sovereignty

The expulsion marks one of the most significant public confrontations between the Lebanese state and Tehran in decades. For years, Lebanon’s relationship with Iran has often bypassed formal diplomatic channels, defined instead by the military and political influence of the IRGC on Lebanese soil. By rejecting the appointed envoy, the Lebanese government appears to be attempting to draw an institutional red line and reclaim its agency over foreign policy, particularly after Hezbollah’s rocket fire on March 2 drew the nation deeper into an unwanted war.