VIDEO: Tensions in Beirut after Iranian plane denied landing at airport

Beirut’s airport road witnessed security tensions as a group of citizens blocked the road in protest against the prevention of an Iranian plane from landing at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The Lebanese army intervened and managed to reopen the road after hours of demonstrations.

This development follows statements made by 'Israeli' army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, who once again accused Beirut’s airport of being exploited by Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah to smuggle funds for armament through civilian flights.

Meanwhile, reports emerged that an Iranian civilian aircraft carrying Lebanese pilgrims to Iran’s holy sites was prevented from departing Tehran International Airport due to a lack of authorization to land in Beirut.

According to sources, dozens of Lebanese passengers were stranded at Tehran airport for more than four hours. The flight was scheduled to depart at 1:00 AM Beirut time, but passengers were later informed that they would not be able to return to Lebanon that day due to the denial of landing clearance in Beirut.

Stranded travelers urged Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to intervene and facilitate their return home.

Commenting on the incident, a Lebanese civil aviation source told An-Nahar newspaper that "no landing permits were granted to the Iranian airline for Beirut Airport, and the plane carrying Lebanese passengers has not yet departed from Tehran." The source clarified that "flight authorizations are issued by Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport."

Amid the escalating situation, some protesters took to blocking the airport road in response to the decision, before Lebanese army units intervened to restore order and reopen the road.