Lebanon has canceled an Iranian flight amid accusations from Israel that Iran uses civilian flights to send funds to Hezbollah. The Lebanese government has requested airlines to reschedule and is arranging for the repatriation of stranded passengers. The situation reflects heightened tensions and scrutiny over international flights linked to Hezbollah’s financing.
On Thursday, Lebanon canceled a Mahan Air flight from Iran to Beirut after Israel accused Iran of using civilian flights to fund Hezbollah. Saeed Chalandri, CEO of Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport, confirmed that the flight was grounded due to a lack of landing permissions from Lebanon. Passengers were seen waiting in the departure lounge, expressing frustration over the cancellation.
Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that the government is implementing additional security measures and has requested several airlines to temporarily delay arrivals. Furthermore, arrangements are being made for Middle East Airlines to send a plane to Tehran to bring displaced passengers back to Lebanon.
The cancellation followed Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee’s allegations against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force of exploiting flights into Beirut to smuggle funds to Hezbollah. Iran’s U.N. Mission has yet to provide a response to these accusations. Mahan Air is currently under U.S. sanctions due to its funding of Hezbollah.
Since December 1, researcher David Daoud recorded 26 Mahan Air flights from Iran to Beirut, noting that this is the first instance Lebanon has blocked one since the resumption of flights after a ceasefire with Israel. Tensions escalated in October 2023, when Hezbollah aligned with Hamas in the conflict with Israel.
Adraee mentioned that Israel had supplied information to a U.S.-led group monitoring the ceasefire to curb Iranian cash movements to Hezbollah. Although Israeli military officials refrained from commenting on communications with the monitoring group concerning the recent flight cancellation, they emphasized their commitment to preventing Hezbollah from strengthening its military capabilities.
According to Daoud, Adraee’s statements signaled that Lebanon is under scrutiny regarding Iranian flights into Beirut, suggesting that more actions could follow. He also remarked that Lebanon could enhance its credibility by consistently denying Mahan Air’s access to its airports or rigorously inspecting its cargo and passengers.
Matthew Levitt from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy welcomed the flight’s cancellation, describing it as a positive step for Lebanese sovereignty. He cautioned, however, that sustained measures are necessary to maintain such a stance and that there is no guarantee of continued action from the Lebanese government.
In summary, Lebanon’s decision to block an Iranian flight represents a notable response to international pressure, particularly from Israel, concerning potential funding for Hezbollah. This act may signal a commitment to reassert Lebanese sovereignty over its airspace and enhance security measures. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing scrutiny from various stakeholders regarding Lebanon’s actions towards Iranian flights and their implications for regional stability.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
