Iran exploits Lebanese crisis to extend its influence and control

BEIRUT — According to informed sources, an Iranian ship smuggling fuel has entered Syria on its way to Lebanon as several political parties continue efforts to obstruct the formation of a new government.

As part of its attempts to control and expand its influence over Lebanon and Syria, Iran has sent three fuel-laden ships to Lebanon, as announced a few days ago by Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary General of Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to sources, one of these ships has entered Syrian territorial waters and the ship’s cargo is being transported by tankers from Syria to Lebanon. The other two ships are expected to arrive via the same route.

However, the ship tracking site Tanker Trackers denied this information, stating that the crude oil was delivered to meet Syrian needs and not Lebanese needs.

Further evidence of Iran’s determination to obstruct stability in Lebanon and keep the country in a state of chaos and insecurity to facilitate the implementation of its plans comes from a statement by Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati’s Information Office, which said that there are political parties that want to obstruct the formation of a new government.

Mikati said that some insist on turning the government formation process into a political and media bazaar in order to take the accusation of interference off themselves and pin it on others, adding that adopting these hidden, twisted methods to spread misinformation will not work.

The statement pointed out that PM-designate Mikati is continuing the process of government formation in a spirit of cooperation and consultation with President Michel Aoun, a Syriac Maronite.