An explosive report by the Iranian opposition group People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) alleges that the Islamic Republic of Iran's domestic airline Iran Air is supporting the US-designated terrorist organization Hezbollah.
The MEK, citing former Hezbollah members, said flights between Iran and Lebanon's Beirut airport often transported Hezbollah personnel to Iran for training courses or “smuggling.”[d] food [and] sent light and medium weapons to Lebanon.
The transfer allegedly carried advanced light weapons from Iran to Lebanon via Airstrip 17, which Hezbollah claims is “exclusively” owned. In January 2021, Hezbollah members claimed that cargo arriving at Runway 17 contained anti-aircraft missiles.
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Iran Air plane parked at an airport terminal in Europe. (Photo credit: Vodjani/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
Jason Brodsky, policy director for the Anti-Nuclear Iran Coalition, told Fox News Digital that “Iran Airways has a history of enabling procurement of Western products, especially military supplies.” [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] Brodsky explained that Iran Air avoids such connections by using “carry-on baggage that does not require another security check during stopovers at European airports.” Such civil aircraft serve as a shield to avoid dynamic targeting by the enemy. ”
The MEK also stated that public information and intelligence obtained from within the Revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) revealed that MOIS was using Iranian Airways to transport MOIS personnel and their equipment for terrorist activities outside Iran. “This shows that there has been systematic use of the The MEK claims that “terrorist diplomat'' Asadullah Asadi, who served as MOIS European bureau chief from 2015 to 2018, said that Iran Air had transferred “baggage and baggage necessary for MOIS activities in Europe'' to Austria. He explained in detail that he had done so.
Asadi was sentenced to 20 years in a Belgian prison for plotting to bomb a rally of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in 2018. He was released in exchange for a Belgian aid worker, a Danish national and two Austrian-Iranian dual nationals. In May and June 2023, According to Yahoo News.
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According to former Hezbollah members, Hezbollah has exclusive use of Beirut Airport's runway 17, circled in red. Iranian Airways uses the airstrip to transport small and medium arms and basic supplies to Lebanon. (Courtesy of PMOI/MEK)
MEK officials also issued a statement reminding Iran Air of its historical ties to terrorism. MEK reported that “most” of the 12 terrorists sent to Geneva to take part in the assassination operation of human rights defender and NCRI member Professor Kazem Rejavi on April 24, 1990 “It was transported by Iran Air.'' It was their weapon. The MEK claims that the return Iranian Air flight after the assassination “departed from Geneva so that the terrorists could catch the plane in time.” Washington Post's 1990 report supports this claim.
Treasury and State Departments Authorize Iran Air on September 10, based on shipments of equipment and aircraft parts provided to Russia. In a press release, the Treasury Department cited Iran Air's “history of transporting goods on behalf of Iran.” [IRGC] and Ministry of Defense Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). ”
Iran speaks at a program held in response to the Iranian attack on Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah in Tehran, Iran, and the subsequent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Iranian attack, October 2, 2024. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. (Photo credit: Iranian Leader Press Office/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Treasury Department and the State Department did not respond to Fox News Digital's investigation into Iran Air's known ties to Hezbollah. A Treasury Department spokesperson said that pursuant to the new sanctions, “all property and interests of the above individuals located in the United States or owned or controlled by U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the United States.” He emphasized. [the Office of Foreign Assets Control.]”
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In response to U.S. sanctions, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany similarly announced that they would “abandon their bilateral air services agreement with Iran” and “work to impose sanctions on Iranian Airlines.”
Ali Safavi, a member of the Paris-based NCRI's foreign affairs committee, told Fox News Digital that “Iran's clerical regime has used domestic resources strategically, allowing private entities, including the national airline, to pursue domestic goals.'' “We have been promoting this,” he said. repression and the international spread of terrorism and extremism. ”
The MEK reported that on April 25, 2022, Brigadier General Rustam Ghasemi, a senior commander of the Revolutionary Guards and Quds Forces, who is subject to U.S. sanctions, sent Brigadier General Shamseddin Farzadipour of the Revolutionary Guards to Iranian Airlines. He pointed out that he had appointed him to the top position. Prior to this position, Farzadipour was at IRCH. Air Operations Commander of the Air and Space Forces.
Israeli military displays Hezbollah weapons found in southern Lebanon. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)
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Safavi said Farzadipour's appointment “demonstrates our collaboration with the airline.” [the IRGC’s] “oppressive purpose” and “clear violation of established international law and norms”.
Safavi called on the international community to ban Iranian airlines from flying to major hubs across Europe and to designate the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. He also called on the United Nations Security Council to reinstate sanctions against Iran.
When asked about Hezbollah members' claims, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations told FOX News Digital, “The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to be actively involved in providing humanitarian assistance to Lebanon through multiple channels. “We have officially announced this,” he said. The proposal has been officially accepted by the Lebanese government, which is ready to extend medical aid and take in the injured. ”
“Lebanon does not need military assistance. The first and most urgent priorities must be focused on establishing a ceasefire and facilitating relief operations,” the spokesperson said.
