Author: Youssef Diab
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Lebanon Foils Money Smuggling Operation from Iran to Hezbollah via Türkiye
Lebanese airport security intercepted an attempt to smuggle $2.5 million in cash from Iran to Lebanon via Sabiha Gökçen Airport in Türkiye. The funds were believed to be destined for Hezbollah after Lebanon banned Iranian civilian aircraft from landing in Beirut and imposed strict inspections on flights arriving from Iraq. Authorities at Beirut Airport seized…
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US Warning over Hezbollah Upends Lebanese Govt Formation Efforts
US deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus’ warning on Friday that Hezbollah should not be part of the new Lebanese government has upended efforts to form a new cabinet. The formation process had already hit a snag with disputes over the name of the fifth Shiite minister. The remaining four have been named by the…
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Iran Seeks to Protect Syrians Fleeing to Lebanon After Assad’s Fall
Lebanese political and security circles were surprised by Iran’s apparent concern for Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. This raised suspicions that former Syrian regime figures might be in Lebanon and that Tehran is working to secure legal and security protection for them. However, sources revealed that Iran’s…