Iranian Plane Intercepted: Israel Foils Suspicious Flight to Beirut, Fueling Fears of Smuggled Arms
Israeli Army Warns Lebanon Against Iranian Plane Landing
Tensions Rise as Israeli Military Threatens to Prevent Iranian Plane from Landing in Beirut
According to Lebanese sources, the Israeli army has made contact with Beirut International Airport to prevent an Iranian plane from landing. The army reportedly warned the airport’s control tower that an Iranian civilian plane en route to Beirut should not land, as stated by the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamijah. The Israeli military has threatened to use force to prevent the landing if necessary.
Israeli media reports indicate that a cargo plane operated by the Iranian airline Qeshm Air has turned around on its way to Beirut and is heading back to Tehran.
An Israeli military spokesman emphasized that the transfer of arms to Hezbollah would not be permitted under any circumstances. The Israeli Air Force will closely monitor the area around Beirut Airport to prevent such activities. Lebanon has thus far demonstrated responsible behavior, unlike neighboring Syria, by not allowing the delivery of weapons through the civilian airport.