President Joseph Aoun announced that Lebanon will not be resuming air travel with Iran, at least for the time being, though he left open the possibility of future flights.

Lebanese authorities suspended all Iranian flights to and from Beirut in February, following concerns raised by Israel to the United States about potential smuggling activities involving Hezbollah. Israel has long accused Hezbollah of using Beirut’s airport to transport funds and weapons, particularly in cooperation with Iran’s Quds Force.

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro, Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for an end to hostilities and the preservation of stability in southern Lebanon.

Moreover, Aoun addressed the ongoing challenges Lebanon faces with its land and maritime borders, particularly with neighboring Syria. He indicated that Lebanon is actively working to resolve these issues, which have been a point of contention for years. Aoun also acknowledged the significant burden posed by the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, describing it as a pressing issue that continues to create challenges for the country’s security and social fabric.