'Lebanon Increases Inspections of Iraqi Aircrafts' Lebanon Debate

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Lebanese authorities have intensified security inspections on Iraqi aircraft arriving in Beirut, mirroring procedures applied to flights from Iran, in a move purportedly aimed at preventing financial aid from reaching Hezbollah.

The increased scrutiny, first reported by Lebanese news outlet "Lebanon Debate" on Monday, reflects growing regional tensions and geopolitical maneuvering.

According to the report, flights from Iraq are now subject to thorough security inspections at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport under the pretext of verifying whether they are carrying money or financial resources intended for Hezbollah.

This development follows a similar pattern applied to Iranian flights arriving in Lebanon.

Growing US Influence on Lebanese Security Policies

This latest measure is part of broader regional efforts to curb Hezbollah’s access to financial resources.

In November 2024, a Lebanese newspaper revealed that U.S. authorities had intervened to prevent an Iraqi aid plane from landing in Beirut.

Washington insisted that the aircraft first land in Jordan for an inspection before proceeding to Lebanon, demonstrating the extent of U.S. influence over Lebanon’s airport security policies.

Additionally, in early January 2025, Lebanese airport authorities faced controversy after subjecting an Iranian civilian aircraft to an intensive security inspection.

The situation escalated further when an Iranian diplomat on board refused to allow his personal bag to be searched, leading to heightened diplomatic tensions between Beirut and Tehran.

Implications for Iraq and Regional Alliances

The increased scrutiny of Iraqi flights suggests that Beirut is aligning itself more closely with U.S.-led policies aimed at restricting Hezbollah’s financial lifelines.

Iraq, which maintains close economic and political ties with both the U.S. and Iran, finds itself caught in the crossfire of these measures.

The latest inspections raise concerns about whether Iraqi governmental and private flights will face additional restrictions in Lebanon and other regional airports.

For Iraq, this move could signal broader implications for its diplomatic and economic relations with Lebanon.

Iraqi officials have yet to issue an official response, but political observers warn that these measures could strain Baghdad-Beirut ties, particularly if commercial and humanitarian flights continue to face security hurdles.

Lebanon’s Airport: A Flashpoint in Regional Power Struggles

Beirut’s airport has increasingly become a focal point of geopolitical tensions. Lebanese authorities are facing pressure from both Western and regional actors to crack down on Hezbollah’s financial networks.

The security measures targeting Iraqi flights underscore the broader battle between U.S. allies and Iranian-aligned factions over financial flows to Hezbollah.

As inspections intensify, regional observers will closely monitor whether Lebanon expands similar measures to other countries with economic and political ties to Hezbollah.

For now, the heightened scrutiny reflects the complex interplay of global and regional politics shaping Lebanon’s security decisions.