Last week, the Lebanese government blocked two Iranian planes from landing at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport after receiving warnings from the United States about potential Israeli airstrikes on the airport, AFP reported on Sunday.
On Thursday, Lebanese officials informed their Iranian counterparts that a plane en route to Lebanon would not be allowed to land. A source told AFP that Israel, via the US, warned the Lebanese government that it would target the airport if the Iranian plane landed. The Americans stressed that the Israeli threat was “serious.” A second Iranian flight to Beirut was also canceled on Friday.
In response, on Sunday, Hezbollah supporters blocked roads leading to Beirut’s international airport on Friday and Saturday, condemning what the group called “Israel’s intervention, imposing of conditions and violation of national sovereignty”. The Israeli military has accused Tehran of using civilian planes to smuggle cash to help arm the militants. The Lebanese army fired tear gas at the Hezbollah protesters, as tensions increased between the newly appointed government and the terrorist group.
First time in #Lebanon in 45 years: #Hezbollah members beaten up by the Lebanese army when they turned up at Beirut Airport to protest banning an #Iran passenger plane from landing.pic.twitter.com/bVWjLk4rgv
— Ahmed Quraishi (@_AhmedQuraishi) February 14, 2025
Hezbollah called on the Lebanese government to reverse its decision to block Iranian planes from landing at Beirut airport, urging the government to take decisive actions to prevent the “Zionist enemy” from infringing on Lebanon’s national sovereignty and imposing its demands. The group made the statement in a message cited by Al Jazeera on Sunday.
Iran’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, urged the Lebanese government not to obstruct Iranian flights, stressing ongoing efforts to restore air connections between Iran and Lebanon. Amani pointed out that despite previous assurances from the Lebanese government that the flights would continue, the cancellations resulted in Lebanese Shiite pilgrims being stranded at Tehran airport. He also highlighted that the cancellations occurred shortly after an Israeli spokesperson claimed the planes were transporting illegal goods.
The tensions arise as Iran-backed Hezbollah faces a weakened position in Lebanon’s new government, with the terrorist group largely sidelined. Its ongoing war with Israel has also significantly impacted the group’s military capabilities.
Lebanon’s cowardly army is currently being slapped and kicked by Hezbollah youths. pic.twitter.com/Ra0dIIpZWC
— ??ليلى (@Lailafatimeh) February 14, 2025
The situation is further complicated by the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which is set to enter a new phase with the withdrawal of Israeli troops on Tuesday. Israel has suggested that it may maintain some strategic positions within Lebanon as long as the Lebanese Army is failing to push Hezbollah north of the Litani River, as per the ceasefire agreement.
On Friday, as Hezbollah protesters gathered, a convoy of UN peacekeepers heading to Beirut airport came under attack. One vehicle was set on fire, and the deputy commander of the UN mission was injured, according to the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
Hezbollah condemned the use of teargas on protesters by Lebanese soldiers and also condemned the attack on UNIFIL at Rafik Hariri Airport.
Very even-handed.
