Lebanon Inspects Mahan Air Flight Over Hezbollah Cash Transfer Suspicion

Lebanese security forces conducted an extensive inspection of a Mahan Air flight from Tehran at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri Airport early Friday morning amid suspicions of Iranian cash transfers to Hezbollah.

The unusual search included manual inspection of all passenger luggage, including diplomatic baggage, leading to tensions when Iranian embassy staff. 

The security measures resulted in long delays and complaints from passengers.

Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV described the inspection as "unprecedented and abnormal," marking a significant shift in the handling of the flights from Iran to Lebanon.

Mahan Air, which is owned by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), operates under U.S. and European Union sanctions.

Western authorities accuse it of supporting Iran’s military activities by transporting weapons, personnel, and funds to regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah.

Analysts suggest heightened scrutiny could indicate growing concerns about the financial networks linking Iran with its regional allies.