In a dramatic development reported by An-Nahar, heightened security measures were implemented at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport following intelligence reports suggesting that an Iranian plane might be carrying funds intended for Hezbollah. The incident has spotlighted the Iranian regime’s declining influence in Lebanon and the region, as Tehran faces mounting setbacks in its Middle East strategy.
The Iranian plane, operated by Mahan Air, was subjected to extensive scrutiny after authorities suspected it might be transporting cash for Hezbollah. Iranian diplomatic representatives aboard the flight attempted to block a search, citing their status and invoking the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Security tensions escalated, prompting Lebanese airport officials to summon additional personnel to ensure the plane and its cargo were thoroughly inspected.
Despite the initial standoff, no illicit items were found on the aircraft. However, two small diplomatic pouches containing cash and documents for Iran’s embassy were eventually allowed entry under diplomatic protocols. Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed the search, stating, “Each bag on the Iranian plane is being meticulously inspected to ensure transparency.”
#Iran News: Tehran Alarmed by Syria’s Political Shifts, Says #Iraqi Parliament Speakerhttps://t.co/KeXzxkHWeB
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 31, 2024
This incident comes at a time when Lebanon appears to be distancing itself from Tehran. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and a series of regional setbacks for the Iranian regime, Lebanese officials are reportedly re-evaluating their ties with the Iranian regime and its proxy, Hezbollah.
Notably, Lebanon recently handed over 70 former Syrian regime officers to Syria’s new leadership, signaling a shift in its alignment. This move highlights a waning reliance on Tehran’s political and military clout.
The airport incident also coincides with recent visits by Ali Larijani, a senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to Syria and Lebanon. Framed as gestures of support, Larijani’s trip has been widely interpreted as damage control following Iran’s diminishing influence in the region. Observers note that Tehran is grappling with challenges, including Hezbollah’s potential disarmament under UN Resolution 1701 and Syria’s pivot toward Arab states.
Larijani’s Trip Signals #Iran Regime’s Desperation to Maintain Control in #Lebanon and Syriahttps://t.co/A9pti7HAN8
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) November 21, 2024
Iran’s state-controlled media had sought to downplay these developments, projecting strength and reassurance to its allies. However, analysts argue that Tehran’s diminishing influence is becoming increasingly apparent.
The Middle East’s evolving political landscape is leaving the clerical regime in Iran struggling to maintain its foothold. Lebanon’s actions, including its distancing from Tehran and cooperation with Syria’s new leadership, reflect a broader decline in the influence of the clerical regime and its proxies.