Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport requested that an Iranian aircraft refrain from landing at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport or use the country’s airspace, following Israeli threats.
The statement was made after the Israeli army reportedly hacked the airport’s control tower on Saturday morning, before issuing threats that it would target the airplane with "force" if it landed, a source at the ministry told Reuters.
The ministry initially said it was "unclear" what was on the plane, and stressed that the priority is "people's lives". Minister Ali Hamieh later stated that the aircraft was "exclusively civilian", to the Turkish Anadolu agency.
The plane was identified as "Qasem Air" Flight No. QFZ9964, as it was approaching for landing, according to Israeli media.
Hamieh confirmed Israel’s actions to Lebanese media, and also went on to deny Israeli accusations that the aircraft was being used to deliver weapons to Hezbollah.
Hours earlier. Israel’s military spokesperson Daniel Hagari warned that the army "will not allow the transfer of any weapons to Hezbollah," including though Beirut's airport.
"We will not allow the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in any form. We are aware of Iranian weapons transfers to Hezbollah, and we will work to thwart them," he said in a statement.
"We declare that we will not allow hostile aircraft carrying weapons to land at the civilian airport in Beirut. This is a civilian airport for civilian use, and it must remain that way," Hagari added.
The incident comes after the Israeli army said it had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, following a series of airstrikes on predominantly Shia suburb of Dahieh in southern Beirut, on Friday.
The strikes were the latest in an escalation of Israeli violence on Lebanon this week, which has killed over 700 Lebanese, including children.
The violence occurs in the backdrop of Israel’s war in Gaza, which has killed over 41,000 since October 7.
Hezbollah confirmed later on Saturday that Nasrallah had been killed, which drew statements of mourning and condemnation from the likes of Hamas and Iran – the group’s allies which form the 'axis of resistance'.
Later on Saturday, Iran’s national carrier, Iran Air, said it has suspended all flights to the Lebanese capital as Israel continues to strike the Lebanese capital, Iranian media reported.
"Iran Air has cancelled all flights to Beirut until further notice," Tasnim news agency said.