Iran has banned Lebanese flights from repatriating stranded citizens in Iran after Lebanon refused an Iranian flight’s landing due to Israeli threats. This standoff has left many Lebanese pilgrims unable to return home, amidst heightened tensions surrounding security measures related to Hezbollah and Israeli actions.
Iran has prohibited Lebanese flights from repatriating dozens of Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran. This action followed Lebanon’s refusal to allow an Iranian flight to land at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, in reaction to what Tehran deemed an unlawful threat from Israel. The blockade on the flight occurred after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was using civilian flights to transport funds to Hezbollah.
In response, Iran declared it would restrict Lebanese flights from landing until an Iranian aircraft was permitted entry into Beirut. This standoff has resulted in multiple Lebanese pilgrims being stranded in Iran for three days after attending a religious pilgrimage, as they were scheduled to return on a flight operated by Mahan Air.
Iranian officials condemned Israel’s actions, claiming they violate international law and insult Lebanon’s sovereignty. The country has urged the International Civil Aviation Organization and other global institutions to intervene against what they perceive as threats to civil aviation safety posed by Israel.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has temporarily rescheduled certain flights, including those from Iran, until February 18, implementing additional security measures. This date marks a withdrawal deadline for Israel from southern Lebanon as per the ceasefire agreement established with Hezbollah, which has been postponed from the initial January 26 deadline.
The conflict, which intensified over the past 14 months, has seen Israel consistently accuse Hezbollah of utilizing Beirut International Airport for arms smuggling. In September, Lebanon’s transport ministry barred an Iranian plane from its airspace, responding to Israeli warnings about potential forceful actions if the aircraft landed. Israel continued its operations against Hezbollah on Friday, targeting purported weapon caches in the region. The recent escalation in hostilities was ignited by Hezbollah’s unprovoked attacks against Israel, coinciding with Hamas’s assault on southern Israel on October 8, 2023.
The recent tensions between Iran and Lebanon, exacerbated by Israel’s military actions, have led to the prevention of Lebanese flights repatriating citizens stranded in Iran. The conflict underscores ongoing regional instability and the significant implications of international air travel amidst military threats. Calls for intervention from global aviation bodies highlight the necessity of protecting civil airspace from geopolitical conflicts.
Original Source: news.az
