Conflicting Reports on Body Search of Ali Larijani at Beirut Airport

Lebanese media report that Ali Larijani, senior advisor to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, and his accompanying delegation were subjected to a body search at Beirut Airport. Meanwhile, some Iranian media have denied this news, citing a member of Larijani's delegation. The international Lebanese television network reported on Saturday, November 26, that the head of the Lebanese Army's security team at Beirut Airport ordered a body search for Larijani and his companions. According to this network, Larijani and his delegation protested, stating that they are diplomats and should be exempt from such inspections. Some domestic Iranian media, including Khabar Online, also reported on Saturday, quoting a Lebanese journalist, that 'Larijani contacted Lebanese officials and protested, but the airport director ordered the inspection of all individuals.' Larijani visited Lebanon after a trip to Damascus where he met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Friday, November 25, to meet with Lebanese officials and the remaining staff of Hezbollah. During this visit, he held discussions with several Lebanese officials, including the interim Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament. Some Iranian media, including Student News Agency, denied the reports of Larijani's body search on Saturday evening, stating, 'The Iranian delegation was received by Lebanese officials according to normal diplomatic protocols.' Ali Sadrnia, a member of Larijani's delegation, also posted on Instagram, saying, 'We will broadcast images from the moment of entry to exit from Beirut Airport to see what lies they will come up with next.' This comes as remarks from some Lebanese officials and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's reactions to these remarks indicate a deterioration in relations between the Islamic Republic and Lebanon. Najib Mikati, the interim Prime Minister of Lebanon, described the statements of the Iranian Parliament Speaker regarding Iran's readiness to negotiate with France about UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which concerns the deployment of the Lebanese Army in southern Lebanon, as 'interference' in Lebanon's internal affairs. Mikati also stated, 'I asked Iranian officials to tone down their sentiments towards Lebanon.' Ayatollah Khamenei, in a meeting with members of the Assembly of Experts on November 17, said, 'In Lebanon, some individuals, including in political sectors, have begun to mock this resistance organization, mistakenly believing that Hezbollah is weakening, while they are mistaken and deluded.' These remarks came at a time when key Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah and Hashem Safieddine, along with almost all of the group's main cadre, have been killed by the Israeli army, and thousands of Hezbollah forces have been killed or injured in Israeli airstrikes and bombings.