Iran's Airline Accused of Smuggling Weapons to Hezbollah in Beirut

In recent reports, an Iranian dissident group, the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), has accused Iran Air of facilitating the transfer of weapons and personnel to Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The allegations include claims that flights between Iran and Beirut Airport have been used to transport Hezbollah members for training and to smuggle arms into Lebanon. Notably, a former Hezbollah member indicated that anti-aircraft missiles were among the shipments arriving at the airport. Experts have pointed out that Iran Air has a history of enabling the procurement of dual-use goods for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Defense Ministry. This is reportedly achieved through civilian flights that avoid rigorous security checks during layovers in Europe. The MEK has also highlighted past instances where Iran Air was implicated in transporting terrorists and their weapons, including a notable assassination operation in 1990. The U.S. Treasury Department has not confirmed any direct ties between Iran Air and Hezbollah but has emphasized the importance of sanctions against individuals and entities involved in such activities. The appointment of IRGC-affiliated personnel to leadership positions within Iran Air raises concerns about the airline's alignment with Iran's military objectives. These developments underscore the ongoing tensions in the region and the strategic use of civilian resources by the Iranian regime to support its military and terrorist activities abroad.