TEHRAN – Iran’s Beirut ambassador Mojtaba Amani will ease the anger of Lebanese people through dialogue and communication after the Arab state cancelled Thursday’s flight where Lebanese pilgrims are supposed to carry Lebanese pilgrims from Tehran to Beirut He urged the Lebanese government to help. It is influenced by Israel and Washington.
Lebanese authorities say flights in Tehran-Beirut will remain suspended until Monday.
Thousands of Lebanese nationals protested the halt by blocking the road leading to Beirut Rafika Hariri International Airport on Thursday night, chanting “Iran, Iran.” The Army attempted to disperse the crowd by firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters who believed the government had decided to “comply with Israel’s orders.” The protesters remained on the street for several hours despite forceful police response.
Especially as Israel has killed thousands of Lebanese citizens since October 2023 and dyed most of southern Lebanon, attacking and occupying parts of the country despite the suspension that came into effect last year , this decision is filled with anger.
Addressing the situation on Friday, Amani highlighted the outcome of the flight cancellation. It was part of a pilgrimage caravan traveling to Iran, leaving many Lebanese passengers stuck at Tehran airport. “Lebanese who are planning to travel to Iran for a pilgrimage are now facing major delays due to this decision,” he pointed out.
The ambassador noted that the timing of the flight suspension coincided with misleading claims from an Israeli military spokesman who allegedly suspected Iranian planes were carrying illegal goods. “Many in Lebanon views these developments as attempts to block Iranian participation at the funeral of marty professors.
The late Secretary-General of Hezbollah, who was assassinated by Israel in the southern suburbs of Beirut in September, is scheduled to rest on February 23rd. Millions of people will be attending funerals for popular resistance leaders, including travelers from Iran. , Iraq, Yemen.
Amani also said in a statement to Iranian media that Beirut had requested an exchange for a cancelled Iranian flight. “We are committed to actively solving this issue and promoting mutual flight between Iranian and Lebanese airlines,” Amani asserted. “God will be pleased and this issue will be resolved through the wise actions of the Lebanese government.”
Other Iranian officials were more powerful in dealing with the situation. In a statement, a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry said the Israeli government threatened a passenger plane that could not complete its flight on Thursday. He called it a blatant violation of the principles of international law and the sovereignty of Lebanon.
Esmail Baghaei also calls for serious measures by relevant international organizations, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), to “stop dangerous Israeli actions on the safety and security of the country’s aviation.”