Iran has suspended all flights to Lebanon until February 18 due to security concerns at Beirut’s international airport, following requests from Lebanese authorities. The situation has led to road blockades and protests by Lebanese citizens, amid criticism of external influences on local decision-making regarding airline operations. Tehran assures accommodations for stranded passengers and plans to resume flights once conditions improve.
Iranian flights to Lebanon have been suspended until February 18 due to security concerns at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport. This decision follows a formal request from Lebanese authorities reflecting the ongoing exceptional security situation in Beirut, leading to the cancellation of all international flights. Hossein Pourfarzaneh, head of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization, announced this temporary halt during a press briefing, indicating Tehran’s awareness of the situation and awaiting further developments.
Pourfarzaneh clarified that the suspension arose strictly from Lebanese security assessments and not from any unverified threats regarding potential Israeli actions against Iranian aircraft. He assured that no formal notifications had been received by Iranian authorities regarding Israeli threats, signifying Tehran’s adherence to diplomatic communications and protocols.
The halt comes at a time when Lebanon recently canceled a flight intended for Lebanese pilgrims traveling from Tehran to Beirut. With significant events, such as the funeral of Resistance Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, on the horizon, there are perceptions that external influences might be impacting the situation. Demonstrations erupted in Lebanon with citizens protesting the flight suspensions by obstructing roads leading to the airport, highlighting the public’s discontent.
Reports indicate that Lebanese authorities denied permission for Iranian flights to land multiple times last week, a decision that has sparked criticism from various political blocs and the public in Lebanon. Hezbollah has voiced demands for the government to reverse these flight bans and resist external pressures, particularly from Israel and the U.S. Meanwhile, Pourfarzaneh noted that passengers stranded at Iran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport are being accommodated in hotels, showing a commitment to ensure the well-being of affected travelers. He pledged to restore normal operations once the security situation at Beirut’s airport is deemed safe.
The suspension of Iranian flights to Lebanon underscores the delicate security situation at Beirut’s international airport. In response to Lebanese requests, Iran has temporarily halted its flights amid external pressures and internal protests. As Tehran monitors the developments closely, political discontent in Lebanon continues to grow, with calls from groups like Hezbollah urging the reversal of flight bans, emphasizing national sovereignty.
Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com
