A Lebanese terror group demanded the expulsion of a U.S. diplomat after he condemned attacks on Christian leaders, escalating tensions in the fractured Middle Eastern nation where American interests face growing threats from Iran-backed militants. Ambassador’s Comments Spark Diplomatic Crisis U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa met with Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai on Monday following weekend attacks targeting Lebanon’s most influential Christian leader. After the meeting, Issa stated his disapproval of the assaults and suggested those responsible consider leaving Lebanon. The comments came after supporters of the militant organization launched a campaign insulting the patriarch in response to a satirical television video. Issa emphasized Lebanon’s tradition of religious coexistence when condemning the attacks. Al Jazeera Breaking News @AJENews UPDATE: Hezbollah urges Lebanon gov’t to declare US ambassador ‘persona non grata’ LIVE updates: aje.news/o4g2s6?update=… 3:20 PM · May 4, 2026 The Iran-backed terrorist group responded swiftly through lawmaker Ali Ammar, who condemned what he called blatant American interference in Lebanese affairs. Ammar demanded Lebanon declare Issa persona non grata, the diplomatic term for expelling a foreign representative. The group accused the ambassador of attempting to push Lebanese citizens from their own country. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, an ally of the militants, issued statements condemning attacks on religious leaders from all faiths. Television Satire Triggers Religious Backlash The controversy began Saturday when Lebanese television channel LBCI published a satirical video comparing the terror group’s leaders and fighters to characters from the mobile game Angry Birds. Supporters condemned the video as disrespectful to their leader Naim Qassem, a Shia cleric, and retaliated by sharing content insulting the Christian patriarch. The television station later deleted the video after being summoned by Lebanese judicial authorities. Despite Lebanon’s relatively open media environment compared to other Arab nations, journalists and artists frequently face harassment over content deemed offensive to political or religious figures. Deeper Divisions in War-Torn Nation The diplomatic incident reflects Lebanon’s deepening sectarian divisions following the latest conflict between Israel and the militant organization. That confrontation killed nearly 2,700 people and displaced over one million Lebanese citizens. The Iranian-backed group faces accusations of dragging Lebanon into a broader Middle East war on March 2 by launching rockets at Israel. Critics claim the attack aimed to avenge the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by U.S. and Israeli forces. The ongoing tensions highlight the precarious position of American diplomatic personnel in Lebanon, where Tehran’s influence continues expanding through proxy forces that reject Western presence in the region. Sources Insiderpaper: Hezbollah urges Lebanon to declare US ambassador ‘persona non grata’