Lebanon announced plans to file a lawsuit against the British newspaper, The Telegraph, following allegations in the newspaper that Iranian weapons and missiles are being stored at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport by the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

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Caretaker Public Works and Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh, in a press conference on Sunday, condemned the article, stating it "seeks to tarnish the reputation of Beirut International Airport."

He extended an invitation to journalists and ambassadors to inspect the airport and verify its operations, reinforcing the government’s stance against the accusations.

The Telegraph’s report, based on statements from whistleblowers, suggested that weapons were being transported on direct flights from Iran and stored at the airport.

These sources described seeing "unusually big boxes" and a noticeable increase in the presence of high-ranking Hezbollah officials. Among the alleged weapons were Iranian-made Falaq rockets, Fateh-110 short-range missiles, and other sophisticated military equipment.

The situation has reignited fears that Rafik Hariri Airport, situated just four miles from downtown Beirut, could become a military target. Whistleblowers expressed concerns about the potential risks to civilians, drawing parallels to the devastating explosion at the Beirut port in 2020.

One anonymous airport worker reported seeing “mysterious large boxes” on flights from Iran and warned of the grave dangers this poses.

Another whistleblower highlighted the persistent presence of Wafiq Safa, Hezbollah’s security chief, at customs, suggesting his influence and the complicity of airport staff.

"Lebanon will file a lawsuit against The Telegraph because its article aims to damage the reputation of the airport," Hamieh declared, although he did not specify which court the lawsuit would be filed with, noting that details would be provided later.

The Lebanese Air Transport (LAT) Union also responded to the report, branding it as "lies" and accusing the newspaper of endangering airport workers and passengers.

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Hezbollah has long faced Western sanctions for alleged smuggling activities through the airport. Critics, including former Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani, have warned that Hezbollah’s control over the airport poses significant risks, especially in the context of the ongoing aggression with "Israel".

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) issued a statement, noting that Hezbollah’s tactic of storing weapons in civilian areas aims to provoke "Israeli" retaliation, potentially endangering Lebanese civilians and escalating international tensions.