Lebanon Halts Iranian Flights to Curb Hezbollah Money Smuggling

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Lebanon has indefinitely extended its flight suspension to and from Iran after initially imposing a ban on February 18, following revelations that Iran was smuggling cash to its terrorist proxy, Hezbollah, through civilian flights.

Authorities have decided to extend the suspension period of flights to and from Iran,” Lebanese presidency spokeswoman Najat Charafeddine announced after a cabinet meeting, without specifying a resumption date.

The announcement followed Lebanon’s denial of two Iranian flights last week after Israeli military alleged that Tehran was using civilian aircraft to smuggle cash to arm Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Hezbollah was using the funds to rearm and had shared intelligence on the smuggling with a U.S.-led committee overseeing the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Lebanese security sources told AFP the ban came after a U.S. warning that the IDF might shoot the planes down.

Hezbollah supporters protested on Monday, blocking the road to Beirut’s only international airport. Similar demonstrations occurred last Friday, during which protesters obstructed the airport road, and a United Nations convoy was attacked, resulting in a torched vehicle and two wounded peacekeepers.

Tensions in Lebanon remain high after a drone strike targeted the head of Hamas in northern Lebanon on Monday.

Israel is set to withdraw from most of Lebanon on Tuesday, except for five strategic locations, until Hezbollah fully retreats beyond the Litani River.

Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

Latest Stories from Worthy News

Iran Executed at Least 975 People in 2024, Marking a 17% Rise from the Previous Year
Iran Executed at Least 975 People in 2024, Marking a 17% Rise from the Previous Year
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Iran carried out nearly 1,000 executions last year, marking what human rights organizations have condemned as a “horrifying escalation” in the use of capital punishment, according to a U.N. human rights watchdog group.

Trump’s Ban on Federal Funds for Illegal Immigrants Could Halt Billions in Payments
Trump’s Ban on Federal Funds for Illegal Immigrants Could Halt Billions in Payments
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Trump’s executive order to halt federal spending on illegal immigrants could save U.S. citizens up to $278 billion over the next decade, aligning with past cost analyses.

70 Christians Discovered Beheaded in Church in the DRC
70 Christians Discovered Beheaded in Church in the DRC
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Seventy Christians were discovered beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the latest tragic attack on believers in the country, according to Open Doors.

Vance to Drug Cartels, Human Traffickers at CPAC: “Get Out of the US”
Vance to Drug Cartels, Human Traffickers at CPAC: “Get Out of the US”
Thursday, February 20, 2025

Vice President JD Vance issued a strong warning to drug cartels and human traffickers operating within the United States, emphatically stating that they need to “get the hell out” of the country. His forceful remarks underscored his administration’s commitment to tackling the serious issues of drug trafficking and human exploitation on American soil.

Iran Plans Extensive Missile Strikes in Operation True Promise III (Video)
Iran Plans Extensive Missile Strikes in Operation True Promise III (Video)
Thursday, February 20, 2025

The commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Iran is poised to conduct Operation True Promise III involving extensive missile strikes on U.S. and Israeli targets, according to a recent interview translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).