Iran bans pagers, walkie-talkies on flights after deadly Lebanon attacks
Radio equipment used by Hezbollah members in the Dahiyeh area, south of the capital Beirut. (AA Photo)
Iran has banned pagers and walkie-talkies from all flights, local media reported on Saturday, weeks after deadly sabotage attacks in Lebanon that were attributed to Israel.
The Civil Aviation Organization of Iran announced the decision, citing concerns over safety following recent incidents involving these devices.
New restrictions on communication devices
According to the ISNA news agency, Jafar Yazerlo, the spokesman for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, stated, “The entry of any electronic communication device, except mobile phones, in-flight cabins or non-accompanied cargo, has been banned.”
The ban comes in the wake of sabotage attacks in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in the region.
Attacks in Lebanon escalate tensions
The sabotage attacks in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of 39 people and wounded nearly 3,000, involved the explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies. Hezbollah and Iran blamed Israel for the attacks, which also injured Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon.
These incidents have increased regional tensions as several Iran-aligned groups have been drawn into the Gaza conflict since its escalation in October of last year.
Airlines respond to regional unrest
In addition to the ban in Iran, Dubai-based Emirates airline also prohibited pagers and walkie-talkies on its flights earlier this month. Multiple airlines have suspended flights to Iran in recent weeks after Tehran launched a missile strike on Israel on Oct.1, in retaliation for the killing of militant leaders aligned with Iran.
Ongoing regional conflict
Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s actions, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stating that Israel’s retaliation would be “deadly, precise, and surprising.”
The ongoing conflict continues to fuel instability in the region, drawing in various factions from Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
