- Iran accuses Israel of disrupting flights from Tehran to Beirut, citing a threat to civil aviation.
- Lebanon temporarily reschedules flights amid security concerns, leaving dozens of Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran.
- Protests erupt in Beirut as Hezbollah supporters block roads over flight restrictions.
Iran has accused Israel of interfering with flights between Tehran and Beirut after an Iranian passenger plane was denied permission to land in the Lebanese capital.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei condemned what he described as an Israeli “threat” to a civilian flight carrying Lebanese passengers from Tehran. He claimed the incident disrupted normal flight operations to Beirut and called it a violation of international law.
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Baghaei urged the International Civil Aviation Organization and other global bodies to take action against Israel’s “dangerous behaviour” toward civil aviation security.
Later on Friday, Iran retaliated by barring Lebanese airlines from repatriating dozens of Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran. Tehran insisted it would not allow Lebanese flights to land until its own planes were granted clearance to land in Beirut.
“Iran will allow Lebanese planes to land, but only if Iranian flights are permitted to travel to Beirut,” said Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, speaking to state media.
The ongoing standoff has left dozens of Lebanese nationals stranded in Iran for three days after attending a religious pilgrimage.
While Iran’s statement did not specify the nature of the alleged Israeli threat, it follows recent claims by an Israeli military spokesperson that Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah have used civilian flights to smuggle funds into Beirut.
Both Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have rejected accusations that Rafic Hariri International Airport is being used to transport weapons from Iran. However, Israel has repeatedly claimed that Hezbollah exploits Lebanon’s only international airport for arms shipments, even targeting the surrounding area during its conflict with the group last year.
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On Thursday, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that flights, including those from Iran, would be “temporarily rescheduled” until February 18 due to “additional security measures.” The deadline coincides with the final implementation date of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah.
That evening, supporters of Hezbollah staged protests near Beirut’s airport, blocking roads and setting tires on fire in response to the flight restrictions.
