Lebanese security detains Mahan Air plane, inspects for suspected Hezbollah cash

Security officials at Beirut's international airport detained an Iranian Mahan Air plane on suspicion that it was transporting funds intended for Hezbollah, according to reports from Lebanon.

Lebanese Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi confirmed that the plane is currently under inspection. Local authorities have stated that any money discovered onboard will be confiscated and transferred to the Lebanese state.

In a related incident, a diplomat from the Iranian embassy in Lebanon was detained in the airport's passenger hall after refusing to allow security personnel to search his bag. The diplomat’s resistance has raised further speculation regarding the nature of the flight’s cargo and its intended purpose.

Mahan Air, a prominent Iranian airline, has faced allegations in the past of being used to transport funds and weapons for groups supported by Tehran, including Hezbollah. This latest development adds to ongoing tensions surrounding the airline's operations and Iran's influence in Lebanon.

The incident is likely to heighten scrutiny over alleged financial and logistical support networks for Hezbollah, which remains a deeply divisive issue in Lebanon’s domestic and international relations.

Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.