The Israeli Air Force thwarted an attempt to deliver weapons to the Lebanese group Hezbollah using an Iranian aircraft on the night of Saturday to Sunday. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Air Force fighters intercepted the flight in Syrian airspace, forcing it to turn around and return, threatening to shoot it down.

The incident was first reported by Ynet, but the data from another Mahan Air flight that landed in Homs, Syria, was used as an illustration. However, it was noted that the flight was turned back due to suspicions that it was carrying weapons destined for Hezbollah.

This is not the first time that Israel has used air power to block arms shipments from Iran to Lebanon. In recent months, Israeli fighter jets have repeatedly forced Iranian flights to divert or turn back when they were suspected of carrying weapons. Most often, such incidents occurred over Syrian or Iraqi airspace.

The operation fits into Israel's strategy to prevent Hezbollah from gaining strength, especially given the ongoing truce in the region. Israeli authorities have repeatedly stated their readiness to take any measures to neutralize threats from pro-Iranian groups.

There has been no official comment from Tehran or Hezbollah. Meanwhile, international analysts note that such incidents only increase tensions in the region, and that Israel's actions could be perceived by Iran as a provocation.