Israeli Forces Divert Syria-Bound Iranian Airliner, Reports Say

Israeli forces intercept and force a Syria-bound Iranian airliner to turn back, escalating tensions between Israel and Iran in the ongoing regional conflict.

According to media reports, the Israeli military compelled an Iranian civilian airliner to reverse its course and exit Syrian airspace over the weekend. It was reported that West Jerusalem had concerns about the possibility of the plane carrying weapons for Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon.

According to Ynet and The Times of Israel, the alleged incident occurred overnight from Saturday to Sunday. It involved several Israeli fighter jets reportedly threatening a Mahan Air plane before it could land in Syria.

Ynet published a map showing a flight traveling from Tehran, passing through Iraqi airspace to Syria before returning. However, the Times of Israel reported that this was not connected to the incident.

In early October, a comparable incident is said to have occurred in Iraqi airspace when a Qeshm Fars Air flight from Tehran was compelled to turn around following a warning by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The Israeli military has accused Tehran of using civilian aircraft to transport weapons to Hezbollah via Beirut airport. In late September, they pledged to “patrol” the airspace and prevent such shipments from reaching their intended destinations.

West Jerusalem asserts that Hezbollah routinely receives weapons shipments through land routes in Syria. Last week, the Israeli military announced airstrikes on several “smuggling sites” along the Lebanese-Syrian border.

Israel has frequently conducted airstrikes within Syria, targeting locations such as border crossings and major cities. According to the IDF, these actions are intended to disrupt Iranian military activities in the region.

In April, Israel targeted a building within the Tehran embassy compound in Damascus, resulting in the death of an Iranian general and several others. An Israeli military spokesperson later stated that the facility was considered a legitimate military target and was not shielded by international law protections.

In October 2023, tensions between Hezbollah and Israel intensified as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) besieged Gaza in response to a deadly Hamas raid into southern Israel. The previous month, West Jerusalem had initiated a campaign aimed at crippling the movement by targeting its leaders and members through airstrikes and covert operations before eventually deploying ground troops across the border.

Last Wednesday, a US- and France-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into effect. However, reports suggest that Paris has privately criticized West Jerusalem after documenting over 50 violations of the truce during the week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that one reason his government consented to the ceasefire was the necessity to concentrate on addressing the Iranian threat.