Israel accuses Turkey of helping Iran get cash to Hezbollah

Israel on Monday accused Turkey of cooperating with Iran to get much-needed money to Hezbollah to rebuild itself after the overthrow of the Assad dynasty in Syria deprived Tehran and the Lebanese group of an ally.

“There is an increased Iranian effort to smuggle money to Lebanon for Hezbollah in order to restore its power and status, including via Turkey and through its cooperation,” Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar told a visiting delegation of US senators and Deputy Middle East Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus.

The allegations of cash deliveries to Hezbollah led to a suspension of flights between Iran and Lebanon last week, which met with harsh reaction from the Tehran-backed group.

“Hezbollah demands that the Lebanese government reverse its decision of preventing the Iranian plane from landing at Beirut airport and take serious measures to prevent the Israeli enemy from imposing its dictates and violating sovereignty,” a statement read on pro-Hezbollah outlet Al-Mayadeen.

Tehran denies that Iranian passenger flights have been used to ship cash to Hezbollah, but the Lebanese government has so far refused to back down, announcing on Monday that the suspension of flight from Iran has been extended.

Shortly after, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said he had discussed the issue with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib.

“He emphasized that the decision in this matter was not political but rather technical and legal,” Araghchi quoted Bou Habib as saying.

Sa’ar’s accusations against Turkey could complicate matters as Tehran and Beirut try to find a solution to resume flights. Turkey has not publicly responded to the claims.

In his meeting with the American delegation, Sa’ar asserted that Iran is seeking to compensate for its recent regional setbacks by advancing its nuclear program, not elaborating on what those advances were and if his assessment was based on public or classified information.

Israel is said to have decided on a military attack on Iran if no agreement is reached between Tehran and Washington, according to Al-Hadath citing a senior European diplomat.