TEHRAN – Despite new Israeli-influenced restrictions preventing tens of thousands of Iranians from flying directly to Lebanon’s capital on Thursday and Friday, the late Hezbollah leader Saiyad Hassan I attended Nasrara’s funeral.
The Tehran Times were unable to determine the exact number of people who traveled to Lebanon over Iranian weekend, as direct flights to Beirut were not available at the beginning of the month. However, officials at Imam Khomeini International Airport said tens of thousands more travelers have departed for the UAE, Iraq or other neighboring countries on a recent day, compared to the recent same period. Masu.
The flight between Tehran and Beirut was officially suspended on February 13 after an Israeli military spokesman claimed it was being used to deliver supplies to Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities subsequently attributed the cancellation to European sanctions, but did not explain how these sanctions would apply to Lebanon in the first place. Iran says it is working to reestablish flights.
Analysts believe pressure from Israel and Washington is behind the halt, which will likely limit Iran’s attendance at Iranian funerals and quarantine Lebanon from Iran.
Iranian journalist Hossein Pack, who has covered developments in Lebanon for the past 16 months, has now cancelled Iran’s first night event. The cancellation sparked a day of protests at Rafiq Hariri International Airport, accusing Lebanese citizens of implementing Israeli policies. “This will not separate the two countries. This rally proves that,” Pack wrote to X after speaking to protesters.
Mohammad, an Iranian teacher in his 40s, exemplifies this sentiment. He took the time to attend Nasrara’s funeral and experienced first-hand the effects of flight restrictions. While awaiting a flight at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport early on Friday, Mohammad explained: Passengers here said it only took 3.5 hours to reach the Lebanon capital and a direct flight was being used. ”
Attending a Resistance Leader’s funeral was, of course, a problem for Mohammad and many others. “I know that a trip to Beirut is now more cumbersome and rewarding, but I don’t care,” he said. “After everything Nasrala did for the region and for the Muslim world, this is the least I can do for him.”
Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araguchi and Parliament Speaker Mohamad Bagh Galibah, will also be attending the funeral, which is scheduled to begin just before noon on Sunday.
At the same time, the commemorative ceremony will be held throughout Iran. Hojatoleslam Mohammad Mehdi Arab Ansari, an official of the Islamic Development Agency, announced that the national rituals and commemorations of Nasrala will coincide with funerals in Lebanon. The largest gatherings hosted by IDO will take place in Tehran, Mashhad and QOM, with even small cities and villages hosting their own private events.
“In commemoration of the martyrs of resistance, olive trees will be planted in several places,” the official added. The olive tree is a symbol of endurance and patience in Arabic literature.