Washington, March 30: The Iranian government has rejected Lebanon’s order to remove its ambassador, signaling a deepened rift in Middle Eastern diplomatic relations even as U.S. President Donald Trump warned of catastrophic strikes against Iranian oil and power facilities.
In a Monday briefing, Iranian officials asserted that Ambassador Mohammad Reza Shibani would remain in Beirut past his mandated Sunday departure deadline. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei affirmed the embassy’s continued operations, challenging Lebanon’s attempt to downgrade Iran’s diplomatic presence to a charge d’affairs level.
Simultaneously, President Trump declared that a failure to reach a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz would lead to the destruction of Iran’s core economic assets. He stated that the U.S. would “completely obliterate” Kharg Island and various utility plants if a peace deal is not reached in the immediate future.
“The administration is in serious discussions with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act if a deal is not shortly reached,” Trump maintained in his latest communication.
On the ground, the humanitarian crisis continues to expand. Israeli forces affirmed they are pushing to create a southern security buffer to protect northern Israeli communities from Hezbollah projectiles. Lebanese authorities noted that the conflict’s toll has surpassed 1,200 fatalities, with massive internal displacement. While Israel reported a recent combat death in the region, the Iranian ambassador remains ensconced in his embassy, where he reportedly continues to claim diplomatic immunity.
