Lebanese sources confirmed that Lebanese authorities, particularly security forces, took action immediately after reports emerged from media sources regarding the potential transfer of funds from Iran to Hezbollah through shipments that were expected to arrive at Beirut International Airport on a flight operated by the Iranian airline Mahan Air.
The sources told “Erem News” that “intensive communications are taking place with Iranian authorities regarding this matter.”
A security source from the Rafic Hariri International Airport security apparatus confirmed to “Erem News” that the agency acted on Thursday morning after receiving information about the possibility of an Iranian Mahan Air flight landing, carrying cash shipments meant for Hezbollah.
The source pointed out that after consulting with senior security officials, airport security would strictly prevent the shipment from leaving the airport grounds. It was also revealed that urgent political communications were taking place with the Iranian side to inform them that if the plane landed and it was confirmed that it was carrying funds after inspection, the shipment would be confiscated in favor of the Lebanese state as suspicious money.
The Iranian side was also informed that if they refused the plane and its cargo to be inspected, the aircraft would not be allowed to land.
The security source further emphasized that the airport security and other security agencies were fully mobilized in anticipation of any emergency arising from the seizure and confiscation of the shipment. Strict measures were also implemented to control the flow of people entering the airport.
According to the source, “One of the airport’s farthest runways has been designated for the aircraft to land, in case it does indeed arrive in Lebanon, to ensure it is inspected and to prevent it from being accessed by parties connected to the southern suburbs of Beirut.”
Fathi Al-Sayyid, an expert on Iranian affairs, pointed out that Mahan Air has a long history of transporting funds, weapons, and armed elements from Iran to Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. In Lebanon, the company has transported tons of weapons and armed fighters of various nationalities through illegal means.
These operations took place “during the period when Hezbollah fully controlled the airport, allowing them to come and go freely, which enabled them to transport funds to the party’s coffers through shipments arriving from Tehran.”
Al-Sayyid added in an interview with “Erem News” that “the current situation at Beirut Airport is completely different from the situation before the last war between Hezbollah and Israel. The airport is now fully under the control of the Lebanese army’s security apparatus.”
The airport is also under close surveillance by several countries, especially the United States, France, and Israel. He noted that ensuring the airport’s security and preventing Hezbollah’s control over it have been essential conditions to avoid any Israeli airstrikes, which has been worked on during the past period.
Source: Erem News