Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

New Iranian air route to Beirut raises concerns in Israel

Israeli defense sources suspect Iran is setting up a new weapons smuggling route to its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah—report.

A Meraj Airlines Airbus A300, July 2016. Credit: Dmitry Terekhov via Wikimedia Commons.
A Meraj Airlines Airbus A300, July 2016. Credit: Dmitry Terekhov via Wikimedia Commons.

Iran’s Meraj Airlines has begun conducting direct flights from Iran to the Lebanese capital of Beirut, Al-Arabiya reported on Thursday.

Israeli defense officials have expressed concern that the flights will be used to deliver sensitive equipment and weapons to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, according to Israel’s Channel 12.

Iranian airlines Mahan Air and Iran Air operate flights between Iran and Lebanon, but the new route could indicate a fresh attempt by Iran and Hezbollah to bring weapons into Lebanon, according to the report.

Meraj also flies to Damascus International Airport, which has reportedly been hit by Israel several times in recent years.

“The expansion of our emergency services will help us better care for patients with the most serious injuries, ensuring they receive the specialized treatment they need, when it matters most,” the hospital said.
“My intent was to honor our Jewish neighbors and friends,” Nathalie Kanani stated. “We are all human, and even with the best intentions, honest mistakes can happen.”
The man was recognized by police officers while attending a court hearing of the three other suspects connected to the case.
The U.S. president warned that the U.S. military will begin targeting Iranian power plants and bridges on Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened.
The cell posed an immediate threat to Israeli forces in northern Gaza, according to the military.
The event, which was attended by 70,000, comes just over two months after the rapper, also known as Kanye West, publishing an apology letter for antisemitic remarks.