In a significant shift of strategy, Iran is exploring the possibility of airlifting weapons to Hezbollah by utilizing direct flights to Lebanon following the Assad government's collapse in Syria, The Sunday Times reported.
Direct air travel between Tehran International Airport and Beirut has resumed in recent days, notably avoiding Syrian airspace after rebels seized control in Damascus. According to a regional source familiar with Tehran's internal discussions cited by The Sunday Times, Iran may attempt to transform Beirut into a new "hub" for deliveries after disruption to the traditional overland routes that previously transported Iranian rockets and other weaponry to Hezbollah through Syria.
Such an aerial supply operation would violate the recently established ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, potentially triggering renewed conflict. "Western countries are concerned that Iran has lost [Damascus as] its go-to airport in the region for smuggling weapons and is now trying to turn Beirut airport into its new logistics hub, just as they did in Syria," the source told The Sunday Times, adding that it "could lead to the next escalation."
Hezbollah's capabilities have been severely diminished by Israel's campaign of sabotage attacks, airstrikes, and ground invasion of southern Lebanon, while Assad's fall has reduced Iran's influence in Syria. Israel has eliminated Hezbollah's leadership, destroyed substantial portions of its weapons arsenal, and forced its forces away from the northern border under a ceasefire agreement currently being implemented.
Despite discussion of Iran's weakening "axis of resistance" against Israel, regional sources indicate Tehran may seek to strengthen its remaining allies, including Shia militias in Iraq, Houthi rebels in Yemen, Palestinian terror groups, and Hezbollah.
Iran could potentially utilize alternative supply routes to assist Hezbollah's recovery beyond the proposed aviation pathway to Beirut. These include overland routes through Iraq, Jordan, and the West Bank – a path previously used in reverse – as well as maritime transport options to Lebanon's Mediterranean coast.
Western sources suggest Israel might act against any developing threat following Iranian discussions about air transport smuggling into Lebanon. This assessment follows months of Israeli military operations against Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen, as well as in Syria since the rebel takeover. Israel has captured Syria's highest peak, claiming territory previously disputed between the two nations and destroying assets left by Assad's military.
Israel has also conducted operations against Iran, reportedly leaving its nuclear facilities exposed. Despite promises to respond, Iran has not yet acted against this latest confrontation with Israel.
On Sunday, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that his country would not require proxies if they chose to "take action." He told visitors in Tehran that "The Islamic Republic does not have a proxy force. They [the Americans] keep saying that the Islamic Republic has lost its proxy forces in the region. This is another mistake," he said, adding: "If one day we want to take action, we do not need a proxy force."
