Lebanon asks Iran to nominate new ambassador, open ‘state-to-state’ chapter

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday asked Iran to nominate a new ambassador to Beirut and called for opening a new "state-to-state" chapter in bilateral relations, nearly six months after Lebanon declared Tehran's former envoy persona non grata.

Salam made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to a statement from the Lebanese premier's media office.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi also attended the meeting.

Tensions between Beirut and Tehran have persisted since March, when Lebanon's Foreign Ministry declared Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sheibani, appointed by Tehran in February, persona non grata.

At the time, the ministry said the decision was prompted by "Iran's violation of diplomatic norms and established procedures between the two countries," without providing further details.

Sheibani did not comply with the Lebanese decision, with backing from Iran's supporters in Lebanon, particularly Hezbollah.

During Thursday's meeting, Salam said Lebanon had "paid a heavy price" in terms of its security, stability and economy and did not want to become an arena for regional conflicts or the exchange of political messages, according to the statement.

He stressed that relations between Lebanon and Iran "are historically rooted between the two countries and peoples."

Lebanon, he said, seeks to "open a new page in relations with Iran and build a sound state-to-state relationship based on respect for each country's sovereignty and independence, non-interference in each other's affairs and shared interests."

Salam wished Iran and its people "security, stability, prosperity and growth" and called on Tehran to nominate a new ambassador to Lebanon.

Separately, Salam said Lebanon's priority was the "full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and an end to its attacks," alongside extending state authority across the entire country and ensuring that weapons remain exclusively under state control.

Israel has continued attacks on Lebanon despite the signing of a US-sponsored Framework Agreement on June 26 providing for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory in exchange for deployment of the Lebanese army and the disarmament of Hezbollah.

According to figures released by Lebanon's Health Ministry on Sept. 17, 4,386 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured, including hundreds of women and children, since the latest war began on March 2, 2025.

Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during more recent wars, while its forces advanced more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) into Lebanese territory during the latest fighting.