A wave of discontent rippled through Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Thursday evening as Lebanese passengers aboard an Iranian Mahan Air flight became the target of unprecedented and stringent security measures. The heightened inspections triggered strong criticism and significant delays, according to Lebanese television network Al-Manar.
Passengers experienced substantial disruptions and delays lasting several hours as security personnel carried out a meticulous search of the aircraft. They also conducted a manual inspection, opening all suitcases and examining their contents. Al-Manar cited activists indicating that these intensified procedures had been underway for weeks, reportedly under the supervision of U.S. officials.
The scrutiny follows claims made earlier on Thursday afternoon by Saudi news channel “Al-Hadath,” which cited unnamed Western sources alleging that Iran planned to transfer millions of dollars to Hezbollah via a Mahan Air flight from Tehran to Beirut. Subsequently, Al-Hadath reported that Lebanese authorities initiated contact with their Iranian counterparts following the news publication, sparking intense speculation regarding the flight’s cargo.
Al-Manar reported that airport security personnel insisted on inspecting diplomats’ luggage, a significant departure from standard airport procedures. This action was protested by the diplomats as the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which explicitly grants diplomats full immunity from search or personal surveillance in host countries.
Lebanese Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Bassam Mawlawi, acknowledged the situation, stating, “The Iranian aircraft is being inspected at Beirut airport, and the airport security apparatus is implementing instructions.”
Discussions and negotiations continued late into the night, requiring security and political interventions to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.
Meanwhile, reports on Lebanese social media indicated that the intense inspection of the Tehran-Beirut flight prompted dozens of young Lebanese motorcyclists heading towards the airport in protest. In response, the Lebanese army reportedly closed access roads to the facility.
