Suspension of Iranian Flights to Lebanon Until February 18 Amid Security Concerns
All flights from Iran to Lebanon are suspended until February 18 due to security concerns in Beirut, as requested by Lebanese authorities. Protests ensued following the refusal of an Iranian flight to land, escalating into road blockades and confrontations between demonstrators and the Lebanese army. Iran also denied Lebanon’s request to evacuate citizens stranded in Tehran, emphasizing operational integrity for their flights.
On Sunday, the Head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, Hossein Pour Farzaneh, announced the cessation of all direct flights between Iran and Lebanon until February 18, following a request from Lebanese authorities. This decision was attributed to heightened security conditions in Beirut and the suspension of international flights to the region. As a consequence, Iranian passenger transportation to Lebanon will be paused during this timeframe.
Pour Farzaneh commented on recent threats allegedly from Israel regarding Iranian flights, denying knowledge of such threats. He noted that the suspension agreement was established through formal communication from Lebanon, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining safety for air travelers amidst regional tensions. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization intends to address this situation on a daily basis to seek a resolution.
Protests erupted last Thursday as demonstrators obstructed access to Beirut Airport, spurred by the Lebanese government’s refusal to permit an Iranian aircraft with Lebanese passengers to land. The protests intensified into widespread road closures in major areas of Beirut, with Hezbollah organizing a demonstration near the airport, leading to clashes with the Lebanese army, which utilized tear gas against protesters.
Moreover, Iran rejected Lebanon’s request for the evacuation of Lebanese citizens stranded in Tehran using two Middle East Airlines planes, invoking the prior refusal to allow Iranian flights to land in Lebanon. Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani reiterated that Tehran is open to flights from Lebanese airlines but insists that they should not interfere with the operation of Iranian flights to Lebanon.
In summary, the suspension of flights between Iran and Lebanon reflects increasing tensions and security concerns. Iranian authorities are closely monitoring the situation while local protests highlight public discontent regarding travel restrictions. The impasse regarding foreign aircraft operations illustrates the complexity of regional diplomacy between Iran and Lebanon amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Original Source: shafaq.com
