After Beirut Refuses to Approve Iranian Ambassador.. Tehran Emphasizes Avoiding Statements Distracting Lebanese Authorities

14 December 2025, 8:33 AM

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السفير الإيراني - Iranian Ambassador — Fars Media Corporation, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Delay in Approving Iranian Ambassador Sparks Political Tension Between Beirut and Tehran

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Lebanese authorities to engage in dialogue on Sunday, marking its first official response to Beirut’s delay in approving the appointment of the new Iranian ambassador. Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that “the diplomatic relationship between Iran and Lebanon is longstanding and strong, and it continues to exist,” noting that Iran already has an ambassador in Lebanon, while the new Lebanese ambassador recently arrived in Tehran.

Regarding the new Iranian ambassador, Baghaei explained that the requests and procedures related to his appointment “were submitted and completed some time ago,” expressing hope that “the process proceeds normally and that the ambassador will be able to assume his duties in Beirut soon.”

Beirut — Mehr News Agency, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Iranian spokesperson emphasized Tehran’s preference to “avoid any statements that might distract Lebanon from focusing on protecting its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” stressing the rejection of any remarks that could divert the attention of the Lebanese government and society from key national issues.

So far, Lebanon has not issued formal approval for the new Iranian ambassador, an unusual step in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. Lebanese media reported that Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji temporarily suspended the decision to accept the new ambassador and did not submit the file to the Cabinet, leaving the official accreditation process pending until further notice.