Diplomatic relations were established when George Wadsworth II presented his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary on November 16, 1944.

[1] In April 1983, the embassy was the target of a suicide bombing perpetrated by Hezbollah with support from Iran which resulting in the death of 63 people including 17 Americans.

As the Lebanese Civil War continued, due to increasing danger to personnel, the American Embassy was closed and all staff, including Ambassador John Thomas McCarthy, were evacuated on September 6, 1989.

[5] Construction started in 2017 on a 43.87 acres (17.75 ha) site in Awkar, near the existing embassy, about 9 miles (14 km) northwest of central Beirut.

The embassy is being constructed with multi-story buildings with tall glass windows, recreational spaces, and a swimming pool surrounded by vegetation and offering views of the Lebanese capital.