Lebanon blocked an Iranian flight to Beirut due to Israeli allegations of cash transfers to Hezbollah. The cancellation, confirming Lebanese sovereignty, was partly a response to Israeli military claims. This incident highlights the ongoing regional tensions and the scrutiny on Mahan Air’s operations.
Lebanon has prevented an Iranian airliner from landing in Beirut amid Israeli accusations that Iran uses civilian flights to transfer cash to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia considered a terrorist group by Israel. The flight, operated by Mahan Air, was canceled after the Lebanese government did not grant permission for landing, as confirmed by Saeed Chalandri, chief executive at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport.
Israel’s pressure on Lebanon significantly influenced the decision to block the Iranian flight, emphasizing tensions between Lebanon and Israel in the context of Hezbollah’s operations. Lebanon’s action, while a signal of sovereignty, raises questions about the consistency of its stance on air traffic involving Iranian entities. Ongoing Israeli surveillance and actions towards Beirut airport indicate heightened scrutiny of Hezbollah’s funding sources.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
