Hezbollah supporters protested in Beirut after Lebanese authorities blocked an Iranian flight from landing. The ministry’s decision caused flight cancellations, leaving passengers stranded and resulting in clashes with security forces. The incident highlights Hezbollah’s rising tensions with the Lebanese government and Iran’s influence in the region, prompting calls for accountability and raising concerns over regional stability.
On Thursday, Beirut experienced heightened tensions as Hezbollah supporters blocked access to Rafic Hariri International Airport. This protest followed the Lebanese authorities’ denial of an Iranian Mahan Air flight’s landing permission. Demonstrators, waving Hezbollah flags and chanting slogans, expressed their anger against this decision by setting tires ablaze.
The flight from Tehran to Beirut, scheduled for February 14, was turned away by Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. A Lebanese airport official confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the Ministry of Public Works and Transport instructed the prohibition of Mahan Air’s two scheduled flights without providing an explicit reason.
The cancellation stranded passengers at both Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport and Rafic Hariri Airport, provoking frustration among those affected. In response to the announcement, many Hezbollah supporters converged on the streets, blocking roads leading to the airport and creating disturbances.
The Lebanese Army intervened to dissipate tensions and clear blocked areas. Clashes were reported between security forces and protesters as authorities sought to restore calm and normal airport operations. Reports of violence indicated a very charged atmosphere during the confrontation.
The flight cancellation stirred widespread controversy in Lebanon, with Hezbollah and its allies denouncing it as a politically charged affront to national sovereignty. Lawmaker Ibrahim Mousawi described the incident as an attack on Lebanese sovereignty and criticized the international community for its silence on such violations.
Hezbollah has consistently denied claims of utilizing Beirut’s airport for weapons and financial transactions. In light of these suspicions, Lebanese authorities have reportedly intensified inspections on Iranian flights to preemptively address security concerns.
While the Lebanese government has remained relatively silent on this matter, pressure mounts on them from Hezbollah supporters, who demand an explanation and an immediate reversal of the flight prohibition. This episode highlights Iran’s ongoing interference in the Middle East through proxies like Hezbollah, which complicates the political landscape in Lebanon.
As tensions escalate, Hezbollah supporters remain resolute, viewing the recent developments as an unjust blockade against their Iranian allies. This incident underscores Iran’s strategic maneuvers in the region, raising concerns about potential further unrest and instability in the area.
The protest against the blocked Iranian flight in Beirut illustrates the rising tensions surrounding Hezbollah’s influence and Iran’s geopolitical strategies in the Middle East. The cancellation of flights has not only caused disruptions but has also revealed the deepening divisions within Lebanon’s political landscape, as public outcry underscores demands for accountability from the government. As the situation develops, it remains imperative to monitor how these tensions could impact regional stability and the dynamics between Iran and Lebanon.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
