Iran-backed Hezbollah contests ban on Iranian planes flying into Beirut airport

In a phone call on Saturday, the two countries’ foreign ministers discussed “how to resolve the problem of civil flights” and “confirmed their readiness to hold constructive talks in good faith”, after a decision to bar two flights from landing triggered violent protests in Beirut.

Iran reciprocated by barring two Middle East Airlines flights from landing in Tehran to evacuate Lebanese citizens, Lebanon's An-Nahar reported.

Iran's ambassador to Beirut Mojtaba Amani told state media that the Islamic Republic will allow Lebanese flights to land in Tehran only if Iranian flights are permitted to land in Beirut.

Tensions between the two countries started when Lebanon halted flights by Iranian carriers, including Mahan Air and Iran Air.

Saeed Chalondari, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, said Lebanon had announced a suspension of Iranian flights until February 18, directing passengers to use Lebanese carriers instead.

The dispute follows accusations from Israel that Iran’s IRGC Quds Force has been using civilian flights to smuggle funds to Hezbollah via Beirut International Airport. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that Iran and Hezbollah were exploiting commercial flights to transfer money for attacks on Israel.

The flight ban has sparked tensions in Lebanon. Images circulating on social media showed Hezbollah supporters blocking roads to Beirut Airport in protest against the refusal to allow Mahan Air to land.

“We are monitoring the developments in Syria with deliberation and patience and will make our specific decision when the time is right,” Mohammadreza Raouf Sheibani, Iran’s special representative for West Asia, said in an interview published Saturday.

He confirmed the recent remarks of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani about an exchange of “positive messages” between Tehran and Damascus following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December.

Iran's Shiite clerical government became deeply involved in Syria's civil war early in the conflict, sending regular and proxy forces to defend Bashar al-Assad's rule.

Al-Shibani, speaking at the World Government Summit in Dubai earlier this week, stressed that while Syria has received “clear and positive messages” from both Iran and Russia, these messages need to be translated into “a clear policy that makes the Syrian people feel reassured.”

Iran and Russia, Assad’s main backers during the brutal conflict that began in 2011, played key roles in maintaining his grip on power until a rapid rebel offensive last December forced him into exile in Moscow. Since then, both countries have sought to maintain influence in Syria while navigating the new political landscape.

Europe has taken a clear stance in supporting Syria’s new leadership, with French President Emmanuel Macron pledging assistance in countering terrorism and preventing the return of Iranian-backed militias. “The priority is ensuring that Syria does not become a logistical platform for militias linked to Iran, which pursue a regional destabilization agenda,” Macron said at a recent conference in Paris attended by key regional and Western powers.

Iran, which invested heavily in Assad’s survival—reportedly spending at least $30-$50 billion—now faces the challenge of recalibrating its strategy. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has vowed on multiple occasions to reclaim Iran’s influence in Syria, adding further tension to an already complex situation.

“Tehran needs to feel under threat, and they need to feel pain,” said Pregent.

"What kind of pressure can the Trump administration put on Iran to get those hostages released? They just simply have to say, you are going to be held accountable for every hostage that's killed or delay in the release of every hostage."

The United States, Pregent said, should exert economic pressure on Iran, discourage Iraqi cooperation with Tehran and more directly confront armed affiliates in the region such as the Houthis in Yemen, Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas itself.

"If the regime told Hamas to release, they would release," Pregent said, referring to Iranian authorities and Israeli hostages Hamas seized in an Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Trump on Monday warned of dire consequence if all the remaining hostages are not released on Saturday.

“As far as I’m concerned, if all of the hostages aren’t returned by Saturday at 12 o’clock – I think it’s an appropriate time – I would say, cancel it (ceasefire) and all bets are off and let hell break out,” the president told reporters in the White House.

Trump’s comments represent one of the most direct threats aimed at the Iran-backed group by any Western leader. He also says he seeks to seize and control Gaza, the coastal enclave that has been run by Hamas.

The Islamic Republic provides material, financial and ideological support to its Palestinian ally. According to a 2020 US state department report, Iran provides about $100 million annually to Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.

Qatar's role

Pregent, who served under former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, General David Petraeus in Iraq, describes Trump as a tough and effective leader.

The Republican President understands the Middle East, Pregent said, but added that some members of the administration are too close to Qatar.

“That funding either silences a critic or results in praise for what Qatar is doing. We hear these things like Qatar is doing God's work,” said Pregent. “When it comes to Witkoff, we know that they bought a property in New York for $623 million. That's in The New York Times. I'm not saying that he's bought and paid for.”

Steve Witkoff, once a prominent real estate investor, is the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, who played a pivotal role in brokering a major ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.

A New York Times report alleges that Witkoff was involved with two sovereign wealth funds when he bought and sold a Manhattan hotel in 2018 prior to working in government. The Qatar investment authority purchased the hotel for $623 million helping to secure a buyout for Witkoff and his partners.

The most senior leader of Hamas outside of Gaza was living in Qatar up until recently, but the political office of Hamas in Doha is now permanently closed, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson told various Western-media outlets.

Qatar, a tiny island in the Persian Gulf, has become the world’s lead hostage-negotiator. The small energy-rich state, with the help of Egypt, has been working with the US and Israel on a Israel-Gaza ceasefire for much of the conflict.

In 2023, just before October 7, Doha brokered a deal between Washington and Tehran that saw the release of US hostages inside Iran in exchange for the release of 6 billion to Tehran in frozen assets.

“You cannot succeed if you continue to play into the hands of the arsonist playing firefighter, you know, in the role of Qatar. If you really want to get a release, Tehran needs to be involved,” said Pregent.

Pregent said while Iran influences Hamas, Qatar influences the US.

“What I'm saying is it’s pretty hard to criticize Qatar when they buy you out of a financial situation that you are in. That's what I'm talking about with this influence,” added Pregent.

If Doha continues to lead negotiations, and Tehran doesn't face consequences for its support of Hamas, Pregent insisted, there can be no progress to end the conflict.

"If that doesn't happen, then nothing."

The announcement comes after Lebanon halted flights by Iranian carriers, including Mahan Air and Iran Air.

Saeed Chalondari, CEO of Imam Khomeini Airport City, after demanding reciprocity from Lebanon, confirmed that a Tehran–Beirut flight scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Friday was canceled after Lebanese aviation authorities denied the permit.

He added that Lebanon has announced a suspension of Iranian flights until February 18, directing passengers to use Lebanese carriers instead.

“We do not agree with this decision,” Chalondari said. “If there are to be flights between the two countries, they must be on a reciprocal basis.” Adding that Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are pursuing discussions with Lebanon to resolve the matter.

The dispute follows accusations from Israel that Iran’s IRGC Quds Force has been using civilian flights to smuggle funds to Hezbollah via Beirut International Airport. Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X that Iran and Hezbollah were exploiting commercial flights to transfer money for attacks on Israel.

The flight ban has sparked tensions in Lebanon. Images circulated on social media showed Hezbollah supporters blocking roads to Beirut Airport in protest against the refusal to allow Mahan Air to land.

Lebanese media also reported that flights arriving from Iraq are undergoing increased inspections to prevent potential cash transfers to Hezbollah.

The standoff comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Israel says Hezbollah is rearming, while Lebanon accuses Israel of continued military actions that have caused civilian casualties.

Macron was speaking at a conference in Paris that brought together regional and Western powers to discuss Syria’s transition following the December overthrow of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

“The priority is ensuring that Syria does not become a logistical platform for militias linked to Iran, which pursue a regional destabilization agenda,” Macron said.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani led a delegation on Syria’s first official trip to the European Union since the fall of the Assad dynasty, a key Arab ally of Tehran.

“Your neighbors have suffered for too long from the consequences of an unstable and threatening Syria,” Macron added, addressing al-Shibani.

Iran expanded and deepened its influence in Syria during the country’s bloody civil war, backing Assad’s army and mobilising groups that helped secure key territory with Russian air support.

Tehran used Syria as a strategic hub to project power across the region, supplying arms to Hezbollah in Lebanon and maintaining a foothold near Israel’s borders. Assad’s fall last December dramatically weakened Iran’s position.

Macron also urged Syria’s new leadership to consider partnering with the Iraq-based international coalition fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) to maintain stability during the transition period.

“The fight against ISIS and all terrorist groups must remain an absolute priority,” Macron said, adding that the Western-led Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq could serve as a model for future cooperation.

The gathering was attended by regional heavyweights, including ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Lebanon. While most Western powers sent high-level representatives, the United States was represented by a lower-level diplomatic presence.

The meeting aimed to coordinate efforts to protect Syria’s sovereignty and security, while mobilizing aid and economic support for the country’s recovery.

“If Syria decides on a proposal for cooperation, France will not only look at it with benevolence but with full commitment,” Macron said in the end. “We're ready to fight these terrorist groups alongside you—and perhaps even more. So let’s go.”