Inspection of Iranian Plane at Beirut Airport on Suspicion of Carrying Aid for Hezbollah

An Israeli media outlet reported, citing what it called 'reports from Lebanon,' that security forces at 'Rafik Hariri' Airport in Beirut inspected an Iranian plane belonging to Mahan Air on Thursday night, January 3, on suspicion that it was carrying financial aid for Hezbollah. According to 'Wynet,' Bassam Mawlawi, Lebanon's Minister of Interior, stated: 'This plane is currently under inspection.' Lebanese officials said that any money found on the plane would be handed over to the Lebanese state. Wynet reported that an Iranian diplomat was detained in the airport passenger terminal after he refused to allow security personnel to inspect his bag. Lebanese media, citing military sources, reported that an Iranian diplomat was removed from the flight and detained after refusing to allow airport officials to inspect his personal belongings. A report indicated that the contents of this diplomat's bag were confiscated by Lebanese authorities after cash was discovered in his belongings. According to these reports, 'intensive negotiations' took place between Lebanese officials and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iranian embassy officials claimed that the contents of the diplomat's bag, whose name was not mentioned, were solely for use at the Iranian embassy. The inspection of this plane occurred after 'Al-Hadath,' a Saudi Arabian media outlet, reported on Thursday, citing 'Western sources,' that the Islamic Republic of Iran 'intended to transfer millions of dollars to Hezbollah today via a Mahan Air flight from Tehran to Beirut.' Hezbollah is a group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has received extensive financial and military assistance since its establishment. Meanwhile, the news of the inspection of the Mahan Air plane was reflected in the media of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which referred to this action as 'unusual,' 'unconventional,' and 'intense inspection.' In this context, Naeem Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, announced on December 6 that the Islamic Republic of Iran was providing financial assistance to the group to pay money to 'families affected by the war with Israel.' According to Reuters, he stated that Hezbollah had paid over $50 million in cash gifts to families affected by the war with Israel. Reuters noted that Hezbollah was seeking to strengthen its support following the devastating conflict with Israel. According to this report, Naeem Qassem, in a pre-recorded speech, thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for financial assistance to the group, stating that payments ranged from $300 to $400 per person, and added that more than 230,000 families had registered to receive financial aid. According to the leader of this Iranian-backed group, the cost of payments to these families would be at least $77 million. Previously, there have been numerous reports about the financial and military assistance of the Islamic Republic of Iran to its proxy groups, such as Hezbollah and Hamas. In this regard, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, who was killed following Israeli airstrikes, stated in July 2016 that all of Hezbollah's budget was funded by Iran. The Islamic Republic's assistance to these groups has often been criticized by protesters during recent years in Iran. One of the protesters' slogans during the protests has been 'Neither Gaza nor Lebanon; my life is for Iran.' The Islamic Republic's assistance to Hezbollah for paying money to Lebanese families, Hezbollah's admission of the destruction of Iran's arms supply route following Assad's fall, the enforcement of the final ruling on the seizure of the Boeing 747 of Mahan Air; the confiscated plane was transferred to the United States; the Islamic Republic's reaction: 'It is illegal,' Israel's warning to Hezbollah regarding the violation of the ceasefire: 'We will crush you,' the Islamic Republic's reaction to the new round of EU sanctions: 'It is unjustified,' and the new EU sanctions against the Islamic Republic; the seizure of assets of 'Iran Air' and two other airlines.