Amid mounting regional turmoil, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar levelled accusations against Türkiye for helping Iran channel money to Hezbollah: the Lebanese militant group. Israel’s Foreign Minister accused the group of assisting the group after losing its Syrian ally.
Sa’ar told visiting U.S. senators and Deputy Middle East Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus about heightened Iranian attempts to smuggle funds through Türkiye.
As a NATO member, Türkiye maneuvered between competing powers.
Turkish officials swiftly rejected these allegations, stating their airport security measures would catch large cash movements through X-ray machines and other checks.
Supporting their concerns, Israeli officials warned that Iranian diplomats and Turkish citizens flew from Istanbul to Beirut carrying suitcases filled with U.S. dollars for Hezbollah.
These money transfers reportedly began after Hezbollah lost backing from its former ally in Syria, enabling the group to pay fighters, support injured members’ families, and fund social programs.
Lebanon Airport Becomes New Focus
In response to mounting evidence of cash smuggling, Lebanese authorities blocked Iranian flights from landing in Beirut. This ban followed a second incident when Lebanese officials searched a Mahan Airlines flight. The search resulted in a standoff, with an Iranian diplomat, who refused inspection of two bags.
Reacting to these restrictions, Hezbollah opposed the flight ban firmly. The group urged Lebanon’s government to end the suspension and halt what they termed Israeli interference in Lebanese affairs.
Seeking diplomatic solutions, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with his Lebanese counterpart about the suspension. His counterpart told sources that the decision stemmed from technical and legal concerns rather than political motives.
Syrian War Creates New Money Routes
Therefore, the latest airport restrictions exposes how Iran lost its main supply route through Syria to Hezbollah.
As alternative pathways disappeared, the Beirut airport became central for moving resources.
Exploiting this vulnerability, Israel struck Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure over the past year. Such sites, where the group allegedly kept cash and gold, were destroyed. This included branches of Al-Qard Al-Hassan bank.
Undeterred by economic troubles at home, Iran maintained its backing of Hezbollah as a deterrent against Israel. Following the November ceasefire, the group reopened 28 branches of Al-Qard al-Hassan bank, issuing $500 million in checks.
However, recent battle damage and tightened airport scrutiny now hamper Hezbollah’s ability to fund reconstruction efforts fully.
Watchful Eyes Monitor Borders
To address these financial flows, the U.S. and France keep overseeing a ceasefire agreement requiring Lebanon to secure its entry points.
Under this arrangement, Lebanese authorities must stop weapons and related materials from reaching militant groups, while officials insist the airport remains under strict army control.
During recent diplomatic exchanges, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that both countries seek a strong Lebanese state able to disarm Hezbollah.
This goal faces obstacles as former U.S. officials raise concerns about Hezbollah’s sway over Lebanese security forces potentially enabling Iranian-backed couriers to bypass thorough airport searches.
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