Tensions escalated in Beirut after Hezbollah supporters protested the Lebanese government’s ban on an Iranian Mahan Air flight. Demonstrations involved blocking roads, burning tires, and chanting slogans against the authorities. The decision stirred frustration among passengers and raised suspicions about political motivations behind the flight ban, intensifying scrutiny of Iran’s influence in Lebanon.
Heightened tensions erupted in Beirut as Hezbollah supporters protested against the Lebanese government’s decision to block an Iranian Mahan Air flight from landing at Rafic Hariri International Airport. Demonstrators gathered, carrying Hezbollah flags and images of their leaders, while setting tires ablaze and chanting anti-government slogans. The flight was scheduled to travel from Tehran to Beirut on February 14, but the Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation denied it landing permission based on instructions from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Passengers on the canceled flights at both Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport faced significant frustration due to the sudden denial. Following the announcement, Hezbollah supporters took to the streets, blocking roads leading to the airport. Videos shared on social media captured the volatile scene, displaying protesters burning tires, waving Hezbollah flags, and chanting against the flight prohibition, alongside images of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who reportedly died in an airstrike last year.
In response to escalating tensions, the Lebanese Army intervened to restore order and clear the blocked roads, though clashes occurred between demonstrators and security forces. The situation garnered widespread controversy in Lebanon, with Hezbollah and its allies denouncing the blockage as a politically charged move against national sovereignty. Lebanese lawmaker Ibrahim Mousawi criticized the decision as a violation of Lebanese rights and accused the international community of ignoring such infringements.
Hezbollah has continuously rejected allegations suggesting that it employs Beirut’s airport for illicit weapon and finance transfers. In light of ongoing concerns, Lebanese authorities have reportedly intensified inspections of Iranian flights at the airport. Meanwhile, the Lebanese government’s silence regarding the incident has left many perplexed, as Hezbollah supporters demand transparency and an immediate reversal of the flight ban.
This incident highlights Iran’s persistent influence in the Middle East through proxy groups like Hezbollah, which impacts Lebanon’s precarious political stability. Observers warn that Iran’s tactical use of civilian infrastructure could incite further unrest and add to regional instability. As tensions rise, Hezbollah supporters remain resolute, committing to resist what they perceive as an unjust embargo on their Iranian allies.
The protests in Beirut against the blockage of Mahan Air flights reflect deepening tensions in Lebanon, underscored by Hezbollah’s insistence on supporting Iranian influence. The Lebanon authorities’ decision remains controversial, and the lack of official explanation has prompted frustrations among supporters. This incident is emblematic of broader regional conflict dynamics, as Iran employs proxies to exert its influence and potentially destabilize the area further.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
