May 22, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday condemned the newly imposed U.S. sanctions against its designated ambassador to Lebanon, labeling the move as “illegal.”
The ministry stated that it “strongly condemns” the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s sanctions against Mohammad Reza Rauf Sheibani, Iran’s newly designated envoy to Beirut, describing the actions as both unlawful and groundless.
On Thursday, the United States slapped sanctions on the Iranian diplomat alongside several individuals associated with Hezbollah over their activities inside Lebanon.
Iran’s foreign ministry added that this action serves as further evidence of the U.S. administration’s rogue behavior and its blatant disregard for international law and the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
In March, the Lebanese government declared Sheibani persona non grata and ordered him to leave the country, though it remains unclear whether he has officially departed Beirut.
Lebanon was drawn into the wider Middle East war after Hezbollah launched retaliatory attacks against Israel on March 2 following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes inside Iranian territory.
Tehran also slammed the U.S. sanctions targeted at Hezbollah lawmakers within the Lebanese parliament.
“These hostile acts are aimed at violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and sowing division within Lebanese society, further illustrating the U.S. government’s ongoing complicity with the aggressive Israeli Zionist regime,” the official statement read.
The latest round of sanctions comes amid prolonged diplomatic stagnation as efforts to finalize a comprehensive peace agreement to permanently end hostilities between Iran, Israel, the U.S., and Iran-backed armed groups, including Hezbollah, remain stalled.
The conflict erupted on February 28 following joint U.S. and Israeli military strikes inside Iran, which prompted Tehran to respond with extensive missile and drone attacks across the region.
Although a fragile ceasefire agreement has been in effect since April 8, formal negotiations have yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough to permanently conclude the war.
