Iran Considers Smuggling Weapons to Hezbollah via Air

Iran is reportedly exploring new methods to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah, including air deliveries to Lebanon, following the collapse of overland supply routes through Syria. The resumption of flights between Tehran and Beirut has raised concerns that the Lebanese capital could become Iran’s new logistics hub, replacing Damascus as the go-to airport for weapon transfers.

A source close to the situation indicated that Iran is contemplating using Beirut’s airport for shipments to Hezbollah, mirroring the operations it conducted in Syria before the current political changes. "The potential use of Beirut as a logistics hub for smuggling could lead to the next escalation," the source noted, emphasizing the growing anxiety in the West about Iran’s shifting operations.

Syria's new leadership, headed by HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Julani), has declared its commitment to protecting all sects and minorities within the country. In light of these changes, Syria's airspace has become increasingly restricted, with the regime-led by Sharaa announcing that Iranians will no longer have unrestricted access to fly over Syria. This has forced Iran to seek alternative routes for its logistical operations, raising questions about future regional security.

Regional Reactions and Concerns

Walid Jumblatt, a Lebanese Druze leader, met with Sharaa this week to discuss the political future of Syria and Lebanon post-Assad. Jumblatt stressed the need for constructive relations between Lebanon and Syria in this new phase, especially as Syria's internal political landscape continues to shift.

However, concerns over the potential rise of extremism in Syria under HTS rule persist. Sharaa, while reassuring minorities of their safety, has yet to address the broader implications of a possible hardline Islamist governance.