Lebanon denied an Iranian flight landing in Beirut due to Israeli allegations of cash smuggling to Hezbollah. The Lebanese government is implementing additional security measures and coordinating with airlines for rescheduling flights. The situation reflects Israeli pressure and potential efforts to reclaim sovereignty over Lebanese airspace, following a ceasefire in ongoing regional conflicts.
Lebanon recently blocked an Iranian passenger flight from landing in Beirut following allegations from Israel that such flights were being utilized to smuggle cash to Hezbollah. Saeed Chalandri, the chief executive of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, confirmed that a Mahan Air flight was canceled due to a lack of landing permission from Lebanese authorities. Passengers were reportedly stranded at the airport, expressing their frustration in a designated area for religious pilgrims.
In response to the situation, Lebanon’s National News Agency announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation was coordinating with airlines to temporarily reschedule flights while additional security measures are implemented. The Lebanese government is also working with its national airline, Middle East Airlines, to arrange for a flight to Tehran to transport the stranded passengers back home.
The cancellations emerged after Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee accused Iran’s Quds Force of exploiting civilian air travel to transfer funds to Hezbollah without oversight. The Iranian mission to the U.N. did not provide a response to these claims. Mahan Air faces U.S. sanctions related to funding Hezbollah, with reports indicating that 26 of its flights have occurred from Iran to Beirut since early December.
The latest development marks Lebanon’s first obstruction of Mahan Air flights since resuming services post a ceasefire established after a yearlong conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel. David Daoud from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that this action indicates increased scrutiny by Lebanese authorities under Israeli pressure.
Adraee expressed that Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah’s military buildup, reinforcing the importance of maintaining security for its citizens. Citing the already established ceasefire obligations, he stated that Lebanon must assert its sovereignty to prevent the transfer of arms and funding to armed groups.
Analyst Matthew Levitt remarked that the cancellation of the Mahan Air flight should be viewed positively as a move towards reinforcing Lebanese sovereignty. The approach adopted by Lebanon would demonstrate its commitment to curbing illicit activity at the airport, although consistency remains crucial for effective implementation.
This analysis highlights the critical dynamic between Lebanon, Israel, and Iran, particularly regarding issues of sovereignty and security. The blockage of the Mahan Air flight represents Lebanon’s attempt to respond to Israeli pressure and emphasize its authority over air traffic. Whether this action leads to long-term policy changes remains to be seen, as continued vigilance and consistency will be required to address concerns about Hezbollah funding and smuggling efforts.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
