AFP quoted a security source as saying Lebanon had refused permission for Iranian planes to land in the capital Beirut twice this week following warnings from the US.
"Through the US, Israel has informed the Lebanese state that it will target the airport if an Iranian plane lands in Lebanon. The US side has told the Lebanese side that Israel is serious about its threat," AFP quoted the above source on February 15.
The Lebanese Ministry of Transport and Public Works then denied permission for the Iranian flights, after consulting with the prime minister and the president, the source said. The message was relayed before the flight took off, the source added.
Hezbollah supporters protested around Beirut airport in Lebanon on February 15 against authorities blocking an Iranian flight to the capital Beirut.
On February 13, Lebanese authorities sent a message to Iran that a flight to Beirut was not allowed to take off. On February 14, another flight from Iran was denied entry, according to AFP.
"The security of Beirut airport takes precedence over any other consideration. And the safety of visitors and the safety of Lebanese citizens are factors that we will not compromise on," Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed on February 15.
Also on February 15, the Lebanese army fired tear gas at Hezbollah supporters protesting around Beirut airport to protest against authorities blocking an Iranian flight to Beirut this week, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah member Hassan Fadlallah called on the army to hold accountable those who opened fire on protesters. Mr. Fadlallah stressed that the army and the Lebanese government "should hold immediate meetings to prevent the Israeli enemy from imposing its order on the airport and continuing its occupation of Lebanese territory... instead of using force against the peaceful protest on the way to the airport."
Tehran on February 14 banned Lebanese planes from repatriating dozens of Lebanese citizens stranded in Iran, in a standoff between the two countries following what Tehran described as Israeli threats of attack.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke to his Lebanese counterpart by phone about the issue and both "declared their readiness for constructive talks", according to Iranian state media.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on February 15 that Israel had threatened a passenger plane carrying Lebanese citizens from Tehran, disrupting flights to Beirut airport. He condemned the Israeli threat as a violation of international law.
There is no immediate word on how Israel or the United States will react to these developments. Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of using Beirut’s airport to smuggle weapons from Iran into Lebanon. Hezbollah and Lebanese leaders have denied the accusations.
A fragile ceasefire has been in place in Lebanon since November 27, 2024, after more than a year of conflict and two months of escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/li-bang-khong-cho-may-bay-iran-ha-canh-sau-canh-bao-cua-my-185250216072656309.htm
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