Tensions flared in Beirut on Thursday as Hezbollah supporters staged a fiery protest near Rafic Hariri International Airport after Lebanese authorities blocked an Iranian Mahan Air flight from landing.
The move, which remains unexplained by officials, has triggered political controversy and raised concerns over Lebanon’s already fragile stability. The flight, which was scheduled to arrive from Tehran on February 14, was denied entry by Lebanon’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. According to an airport official, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport instructed aviation authorities to prevent Mahan Air from operating two scheduled flights on Thursday and Friday. However, no official reason was given for the decision. 
The ban left passengers stranded both in Tehran and Beirut, fueling frustration and anger among Hezbollah supporters. Within hours, demonstrators took to the streets, setting tires ablaze and blocking roads leading to the airport. Videos circulating on social media depicted crowds waving Hezbollah flags and chanting slogans denouncing the flight restrictions. Some protesters displayed images of former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was reportedly killed in an airstrike last year, further inflaming the emotional response.
The Lebanese Army was deployed to contain the unrest and clear the roads, but sporadic clashes were reported between protesters and security forces. Authorities struggled to restore order while ensuring airport operations could resume without further disruption.
Hezbollah and its allies have strongly condemned the flight ban, calling it a politically motivated decision influenced by foreign interests. Lebanese lawmaker Ibrahim Mousawi labeled the move an “attack on Lebanese sovereignty,” accusing the international community of selectively ignoring actions that undermine Lebanon’s autonomy.
The controversy has also reignited scrutiny over Hezbollah’s alleged use of Beirut’s airport for weapons and money transfers, claims that the group has repeatedly denied. In response to international concerns, Lebanese authorities have reportedly heightened inspections of Iranian flights. However, the government has so far remained silent on the specific rationale behind the latest restrictions.
The incident underscores Iran’s ongoing influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah, a key proxy in Tehran’s regional strategy. Analysts warn that such interventions exacerbate Lebanon’s political divisions and contribute to broader instability in the Middle East. As Hezbollah supporters demand answers and a reversal of the decision, the crisis highlights the delicate balance Lebanon must maintain amid rising geopolitical tensions.
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