A report citing a Western official indicates that Hezbollah has resorted to maritime routes for smuggling weapons from Iran to Lebanon, due to the substantial closure of its land and air supply lines.
Hezbollah is reportedly utilizing a maritime route to transport weapons from Iran to Lebanon, following the substantial closure of its land and air supply lines, as stated by a Western official.
As reported by the Times of Israel, referencing information from the Saudi news outlet al-Hadath, Hezbollah is regaining control over the port of Beirut, which suffered extensive damage from a catastrophic explosion in 2020 caused by ignited ammonium nitrate, leading to numerous casualties and widespread devastation in the Lebanese capital.
Investigations into Hezbollah’s role in the storage of explosives at this civilian location have consistently encountered resistance from politicians and individuals associated with the organization.
The Western source has raised alarms that Hezbollah’s renewed dominance over the port could threaten its operations as Lebanon strives to recover from last year’s military actions against the Iranian-backed group.
With the fall of Bashar Assad late last year, it is believed that Iran’s land route through Syria for weapon smuggling has been effectively terminated.
Israel has also issued warnings that it may target Beirut’s international airport if it is utilized for the transport of Iranian arms, as Hezbollah seeks to replenish its arsenal following the conflict.
The report highlights several Hezbollah and Iranian officials involved in the establishment of this maritime route, including members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force.
