By Nohad Topalian | 2025-03-13

BEIRUT -- The recent seizure of a large amount of cash at Beirut's International Airport is a sign that the Iranian regime is using new routes and methods to deliver funds to Lebanese Hizbullah as traditional pathways close, sources said.

Lebanese authorities seized $2.5 million in cash from a man arriving from Türkiye on February 28, in what security sources called the first such interception of funds allegedly destined for Hizbullah.

Mohammed Aref Hussein was arrested upon his arrival, aboard a Pegasus Airlines flight, and later charged with money laundering.

An investigation revealed he had traveled from Lebanon to Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport, where he received funds from an Iranian contact, security and legal expert Youssef Diab said.

"Airport security services, acting on intelligence about the smuggling operation, were waiting for him upon arrival," Diab added.

During questioning, Hussein claimed the funds were meant for unspecified Shia charitable associations, but he was unable to identify who gave him the money or explain its origins, a judicial source told Asharq al-Awsat March 4.

His initial testimony made no reference to the Supreme Islamic Shia Council of Lebanon, which later claimed ownership of the funds -- yet failed to provide official documentation proving ownership or the funds' origins.

Asserting state control

As Lebanese authorities take "very strict measures" to enhance airport security, per Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny, the Iranian regime is seeking new ways to deliver funds to Hizbullah.

The Iranian regime is searching for routes through Türkiye, following the suspension of flights from Iran to Lebanon and the more rigorous security measures introduced on Iraqi flights, Diab said.

With the fall of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad, key land routes between Iran and Lebanon, via Iraq and Syria, were cut off, he added.

"Iran is now using circuitous routes through Türkiye and Algeria, with potential exploitation of Qatar and Oman channels," Lebanese military expert Yaarub Saqr said.

While the Iranian regime uses various money-smuggling methods and routes, these have become increasingly limited, he added.

The crackdown on suspicious cash transfers comes at a critical moment for Hizbullah, which is weakened by recent events and faces heavy demands from its base for reconstruction funds, according to security sources.

The Islamic Republic-backed party also faces intensified scrutiny as Lebanon seeks to address its economic woes in order to receive international support.

"The airport security apparatus, under Lebanese state orders, is strictly implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701," Saqr said.

This prohibits the provision of assistance to any entity that lacks legitimate government authorization, he added, among other measures.