Iran has halted Lebanese flights in response to Lebanon barring its aircraft, which has stranded several Lebanese citizens in Iran. This conflict arose following Israeli allegations of Iranian arms smuggling through civilian flights. Iran has expressed intentions to retaliate until its flights are allowed in Beirut, adding to existing tensions after a recent ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Iran has prohibited Lebanese planes from repatriating Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran due to a diplomatic tit-for-tat with Lebanon. This situation arose after Lebanon denied an Iranian flight landing at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, following allegations from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was utilizing civilian flights to transport funds to Hezbollah.
As tensions escalated, Iranian officials expressed their intention to prevent any Lebanese aircraft from landing until their own flights were permitted to do so in Beirut. This standoff has left several Lebanese nationals stuck in Iran for three days, waiting to return after participating in a religious pilgrimage, originally planned to be on Mahan Air.
Baghaei condemned Israel’s actions, labeling them as gross violations of international law and a breach of Lebanon’s sovereignty. He urged global institutions like the International Civil Aviation Organization to intervene and curtail Israel’s conduct that endangers civil aviation safety.
Recently, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced a temporary rescheduling of various flights, including those from Iran, in light of an implementation of additional security measures. This pause is set until February 18, coinciding with the deadline for Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon as per a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah.
The 14-month conflict had escalated tensions, with accusations from Israel that Hezbollah was smuggling arms through the Lebanese airport. This sensitivity to airspace violations resurfaced in September when Lebanon’s transport ministry instructed Iran’s aviation to avoid its airspace after threats from Israel. Moreover, Israeli forces have been actively targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon following the resurgence of hostilities that began on October 8, 2023, after a significant Hamas assault on southern Israel.
In summary, the diplomatic discord between Iran and Lebanon has resulted in the withholding of flights intended for repatriating citizens stranded in Iran. Israel’s allegations against Iran and Hezbollah have heightened tensions, prompting Lebanon to impose flight restrictions. The situation remains dynamic, with potential implications for international aviation regulations and broader regional stability.
Original Source: news.az
