Lebanon has expelled Iran’s ambassador and declared him persona non grata, ordering his departure by 29 March, as tensions surge across the Middle East following intensifying cross-border violence.
Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani must leave the country by the end of the week, citing what it described as violations by Tehran of established diplomatic norms and protocols between the two countries.
In a reciprocal move, Beirut also recalled its ambassador to Iran, Ahmad Sweidan, for consultations, signalling a sharp deterioration in diplomatic ties.
The decision comes against the backdrop of escalating hostilities in the region. Israel has carried out extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Iran-backed Hezbollah on 2 March.
Lebanese authorities say at least 1,039 people have been killed and 2,876 injured in Israeli attacks since the escalation began.
The crisis has unfolded alongside a broader regional conflict involving Iran. A joint U.S.–Israeli offensive on Iranian targets since 28 February has reportedly killed more than 1,340 people, according to available figures.
Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states, which it says are aimed at U.S. military assets.
Lebanon’s move to expel the Iranian envoy marks a significant diplomatic escalation, raising concerns over further instability in an already volatile region.
Armenia is looking to turn shared environmental challenges into opportunities for regional cooperation, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlig...
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It com...
In an interview with AnewZ’s Sabir Safarov, Houthi-aligned journalist Hussain al-Bukhaiti warns of possible attacks on Saudi Arabia’...
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
Yemen’s Houthis have claimed responsibility for the recent drone and missile strikes on Saudi Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh and at King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia, vowing to carry out more attacks in the coming days.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
Ukraine's soldiers have had their access to Starlink satellite internet restricted. Kyiv's troops use the terminals, made by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to pilot drones. A source in Ukraine's Defence Ministry said the restrictions would make it harder for Kyiv's army to down Russian drones.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
In an interview with AnewZ’s Sabir Safarov, Houthi-aligned journalist Hussain al-Bukhaiti warns of possible attacks on Saudi Arabia’s water and power infrastructure, dismisses concerns over global trade and acknowledges Iranian assistance in developing the group’s missiles.
Armenia is looking to turn shared environmental challenges into opportunities for regional cooperation, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan highlighting the potential for stronger ties with neighbouring countries through biodiversity protection.
Student organisations, opposition groups and youth-led activists took to the streets in Patna and Mumbai on Friday (16 October), demanding the resignation of India's Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, amid a row over changes to voter lists.
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
From international tourism and major reconstruction projects to a film premiere and political developments, Garabagh’s transformation takes centre stage in the AnewZ Daily Brief for 16 October 2026.
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