Iran Halts Lebanese Flights Amid Diplomatic Tensions Over Israeli Threats
Iran has halted Lebanese flights from repatriating stranded citizens in response to Lebanon’s refusal of an Iranian flight following Israeli security concerns. This has left Lebanese pilgrims stranded in Iran for three days while escalating tensions regarding military activities in southern Lebanon and the conduct of Hezbollah. The broader implications include a call for international oversight of air safety and ongoing military engagement between Israel and Hezbollah, impacting regional stability.
On Friday, Iran prevented Lebanese planes from repatriating numerous Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran due to a diplomatic dispute. This measure came after Lebanon denied an Iranian flight permission to land at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, a decision influenced by an Israeli statement regarding the use of civilian flights by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for smuggling cash to Hezbollah. In response to Lebanon’s actions, Iranian officials declared that Lebanese flights would be barred from entering Iran until their flights were approved to land in Beirut.
The situation has left dozens of Lebanese citizens, who had participated in a religious pilgrimage, stranded in Iran for three days. Their return trip was scheduled on an Iranian airline, Mahan Air, before the ban on landing was implemented. The Iranian government expressed its intentions to hold off on approving any Lebanese flights until the embargo on its flights to Beirut was lifted.
Iranian official Baghaei publicly condemned Israel, claiming that the nation was violating principles of international law and infringing upon Lebanon’s sovereignty. He called upon international bodies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, to address what he termed Israel’s dangerous conduct towards civil aviation safety. The Lebanese Directorate General of Civil Aviation indicated that they had “temporarily rescheduled” several flights, including those from Iran, while enhancing security measures until February 18, which aligns with a deadline for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
This deadline had been postponed from January 26, as reports indicated Israel’s intention to maintain a presence in specific areas beyond the new deadline. Throughout the lengthy conflict, Israel accused Hezbollah of utilizing the only airport in Lebanon for illicit arms smuggling from Iran. In recent months, the Lebanese transport ministry has restricted Iranian aircraft from entering its airspace following warnings from Israel regarding potential military action against inbound flights.
The conflict reignited when Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel starting on October 8, 2023, an act that coincided with an assault by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostage situations. In the ongoing response, Israel targeted what it claimed were Hezbollah weapons caches within southern Lebanon. The military engagement has led to widespread displacement of residents in northern Israel as tensions escalate.
In summary, the diplomatic rift between Iran and Lebanon has resulted in the blocking of flights and the stranding of Lebanese citizens in Iran. The situation escalated due to accusations from Israel regarding arms smuggling through civil aviation, prompting Lebanon to impose flight restrictions. This confrontation highlights the ongoing tensions in the region, with significant implications for international aviation and regional security.
Original Source: news.az
