Lebanon Halts Iranian Flights to Curb Hezbollah Money Smuggling
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Lebanon has indefinitely extended its flight suspension to and from Iran after initially imposing a ban on February 18, following revelations that Iran was smuggling cash to its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, through civilian flights.
Authorities have decided to extend the suspension period of flights to and from Iran,” Lebanese presidency spokeswoman Najat Charafeddine announced after a cabinet meeting, without specifying a resumption date.
The announcement followed Lebanon’s denial of two Iranian flights last week after Israeli military alleged that Tehran was using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to arm Hezbollah.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Hezbollah was using the funds to rearm and had shared intelligence on the smuggling with a U.S.-led committee overseeing the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.
Lebanese security sources told AFP the ban came after a U.S. warning that the IDF might shoot the planes down.
Hezbollah supporters protested on Monday, blocking the road to Beirut’s only international airport. Similar demonstrations occurred last Friday, during which protesters obstructed the airport road, and a United Nations convoy was attacked, resulting in a torched vehicle and two wounded peacekeepers.
Tensions in Lebanon remain high after a drone strike targeted the head of Hamas in northern Lebanon on Monday.
Israel is set to withdraw from most of Lebanon on Tuesday, except for five strategic locations, until Hezbollah fully retreats beyond the Litani River.
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