Hezbollah has shifted to maritime routes to smuggle weapons into Lebanon, relying heavily on its control over the Port of Beirut, according to a Western security source cited by Al-Hadath TV.

The source said the change in strategy came in the aftermath of the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the tightening of aerial surveillance across Syria and Lebanon.

"Iran will now rely on maritime smuggling, either directly to Lebanon or through third countries," the source explained.

The arms transfers are reportedly managed by Iran’s Quds Force, which has opened a new covert route that bypasses traditional land corridors through Syria. According to the source, Quds Force Units 190 and 700 are specifically tasked with coordinating the sea-based shipments. The operation is overseen by senior Iranian commanders Shahriari and Ghol Farst.

Hezbollah’s ability to receive and distribute these shipments is facilitated by its control over the Port of Beirut, where the group is said to operate with impunity.

“Hezbollah moves freely at the port with the help of a network of collaborators embedded in customs and regulatory bodies,” the source said.

The same source, speaking separately to Al Arabiya, warned that Hezbollah’s unchecked activities at the port have previously led to catastrophic consequences — most notably the massive explosion in August 2020 that devastated large parts of Beirut and killed more than 200 people. He alleged that one of the attempts to smuggle weapons through the port was a contributing factor in the blast.

Wafiq Safa, Hezbollah’s top security official, is believed to be coordinating the network of operatives facilitating the group’s smuggling efforts, the source added.

The source also warned that the situation could deter foreign investment in Lebanon at a time when the country is facing one of the worst economic crises in its history.

“Hezbollah’s exploitation of the Port of Beirut represents a serious threat to Lebanon’s economic recovery. The state must urgently move to counter these operations,” he said.