Iran has shifted to maritime routes to smuggle funds and weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, a Western security official told Saudi news outlet Al-Hadath on Tuesday.

According to the official, Iran’s Quds Force developed a sea transfer method that bypasses Syria. “After the fall of the Assad regime and increased air restrictions, Hezbollah began using the sea to transport weapons,” he said.

According to the report, the maritime smuggling operation is possible due to Hezbollah’s control of the Port of Beirut, which was almost completely destroyed in 2020 due to Hezbollah’s large stores of ammonium nitrate at the site which caught on fire, creating a huge explosion that killed hundreds.

“Hezbollah operates freely in the port with the help of collaborators in customs and the port’s monitoring authority,” the official said, adding that a senior Hezbollah figure, Wafiq Safa, oversees the smuggling network.

“Safa oversees a network of collaborators at the Port of Beirut. These insiders facilitate the smuggling of equipment and weapons without inspection. Attempts to smuggle weapons through the port contributed to the 2020 port disaster.”

He warned that Lebanon will pay the price for Hezbollah’s control of the port. “The Port of Beirut is Lebanon’s most important port, and its illegal use endangers Lebanese interests. Hezbollah’s presence at the port threatens foreign investment. Lebanon must act urgently in light of these violations.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)