Lebanon Denies Entry to Some Iranian Travelers

On Tuesday, February 19, the Iranian Embassy in Beirut acknowledged the "forced return (deportation)" of several Iranian travelers from Lebanon, claiming that "speculations and rumors regarding the expulsion of a number of Iranian travelers" from Rafic Hariri International Airport "are not true." According to Iranian state news agencies, the embassy stated on social media platform "X" that the deportations were "case-by-case and limited, due to deficiencies or compliance issues with the legal documents of compatriots, and speculations and rumors about the expulsion of a number of Iranian travelers are not true." The Iranian representation in Beirut did not specify the number of travelers involved or provide further details about the incident and its timing. Additionally, Lebanon has extended the suspension of flights to and from Iran. The Lebanese presidency announced this decision following a cabinet meeting on Monday, February 18, although the duration of the extension has not been specified. Last week, Lebanon prevented a flight from Iran to Beirut after the Israeli army accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to Beirut to arm Hezbollah. In a reciprocal move, Iran announced that as long as its flights are not allowed to land in Beirut, it will not allow Lebanese flights to land. On February 13, the Israeli army stated that the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had continued to smuggle cash for the "terrorist group Hezbollah" in Lebanon through Beirut International Airport in recent weeks. Following this announcement, the new Lebanese government banned Iranian airline flights to Beirut. Pro-Iran chaos in Lebanon; Hezbollah calls for the lifting of flight bans. Cyber collaborations between the Iranian government and Hezbollah pose a threat to the region. Continued chaos from Hezbollah supporters; the Lebanese army resorted to tear gas. Rubio: The Iranian government is behind all terrorist actions in the region. Hezbollah calls for the lifting of Iranian flight bans to Beirut. The U.S. condemned the attack by "Hezbollah supporters" on peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. The President of Lebanon stated that the attackers on the "UNIFIL" forces will be punished.