Lebanon Accuses Iran of Diplomatic Violations

Lebanon accused Iran of violating diplomatic protocol and interfering in Lebanese sovereignty in a letter sent to the United Nations in late April, according to a copy published by Arab and Lebanese media and later authenticated by Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry.

The April 21 letter accused Tehran of violating the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, including by refusing to recall former diplomats whom Beirut no longer recognizes as welcome in the country.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry said the letter was not a formal complaint, but a response to letters Iran had sent to the UN Security Council.

According to the letter, Iran refused to recall its ambassador to Lebanon after Beirut declared Mohammad Reza Shibani persona non grata. Under the Vienna Convention, a host country may declare a diplomat persona non grata without explaining its decision, after which the sending state is expected to recall the official or end his diplomatic functions.

Lebanon also accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of carrying out illegal activities on Lebanese territory in open defiance of Lebanese government decisions.

A central point in the letter concerned Iranian officials present at Beirut’s Ramada Hotel, which Israel struck in March. Tehran claimed it had informed Lebanon that Iranian officials were at the hotel. Beirut denied coordinating the visit with the Iranian embassy and said some of those killed were not registered as diplomats.

Among those Lebanon said it had not been told were in the country were Ahmad Rasouli and Amir Moradi. Rasouli was identified as the IRGC Palestine Corps intelligence chief. Images released by Iranian state media after Moradi’s death showed him in IRGC military uniform.

“The Iranian conduct, namely, deploying Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps personnel in Lebanon under the guise of diplomatic activity, violates the principle of good faith,” Lebanon’s UN representative wrote.

The letter also cited Article 10 of the Vienna Convention, which requires states to inform host countries of the appointment, arrival, departure or end of functions of diplomatic mission members.

Lebanon further raised concern over the IRGC’s March 11 announcement of joint operations with Hezbollah. The operation, reportedly called “Eaten Straw,” involved Hezbollah planning to launch around 600 rockets and missiles at Israel in coordination with Iran.

The alleged coordination came less than two weeks after Beirut banned Hezbollah from carrying out military activity, making the Iranian announcement particularly sensitive for the Lebanese government.

Lt.-Col. (res.) Sarit Zehavi of the Alma Research and Education Center said it was unclear whether the letter showed Beirut was ready to confront Iranian influence directly. She said it may instead reflect Lebanon’s fear of direct confrontation and an attempt to seek UN help, though she warned the UN’s ability to enforce such matters is limited.