The Israeli military accused Iran’s IRGC Quds Force of smuggling cash to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon through Beirut International Airport.
In a post on X, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Arabic-language spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee, said the alleged smuggling operation involves civilian flights from Tehran to Beirut, with funds intended to bolster Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Adraee said the IDF has relayed its concerns to the U.S.-led committee monitoring the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah but despite the efforts made, Adraee claims “some of the money transfers were carried out successfully.”
“The IDF will not allow the organization to strengthen and will use all the tools at its disposal to enforce the understandings in the ceasefire agreement, for the security of the citizens of the State of Israel,” Adraee added.
In response, Lebanese authorities tightened inspections on flights arriving from Iran and Iraq and barred an Iranian plane from landing at the airport.
Close to 100 Lebanese Nationals are currently stuck at Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian Capital of Tehran, after a Mahan Air Flight was refused landing earlier today at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut by Lebanese Authorities. The refusal comes after… pic.twitter.com/AfpeXOCeOV
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 13, 2025
This move sparked protests in Beirut, where Hezbollah supporters took to the streets. On Thursday night, demonstrators waving Hezbollah flags blocked access roads to the airport, burning tires and chanting slogans in support of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The protest caused temporary traffic disruptions until Lebanese security forces intervened to clear the area.
🇱🇧 Breaking | Protests Erupting and Spreading in Beirut:
Protests are escalating in Beirut, with crowds from the Shura area heading to support demonstrators on Beirut Airport Road. pic.twitter.com/0hTspEmUCH
— ،،، (@Sy_intelligence) February 13, 2025
The Lebanese army has been sent down to the streets to open the roads leading to the airport by force after people shut them down in protest of the government blocking an Iranian plane from landing in #Beirut
Tensions between the army & the demonstrators,with gunfire by the army pic.twitter.com/UosOigTcgO— 🇵🇸PalestinaLibera 🇵🇸 (@_VivaPalestina_) February 13, 2025
Meanwhile, the Iranian government dismissed Israel’s claims as part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Tehran’s regional influence.
Hezbollah, which Israel has long accused of using Beirut’s international airport for weapons transfers, also denied the accusations.
“The Lebanese state is responsible for these facilities, and Hezbollah has no control over any of the state’s facilities,” a Hezbollah spokesperson told Newsweek.
“The allegations are always false because they are baseless accusations. During the war, they tried to threaten that weapons and other things were being placed in a number of state facilities and infrastructure,” the spokesperson added.
