Lebanon cannot realistically stop the import of fibre-optic cables used by Iran-backed Hezbollah to manufacture drones because the component has widespread civilian uses, a Lebanese government source told The New Arab on Thursday.
The Lebanese Ministry of Telecommunications also denied local media reports alleging that Beirut was under international pressure to restrict the import of the dual-use cables, which have become an essential component in Hezbollah’s fibre-optic-guided first-person view (FPV) drones.
“The Ministry of Telecommunications has no knowledge of any decision prohibiting their import… and does not grant permits for the import of fibre-optic cables,” the ministry told The New Arab in a statement.
Claims of pressure on Beirut to stem the manufacturing of FPVs, which Hezbollah admitted was taking place in Lebanon rather than importing from Iran or China, were first made by pro-Hezbollah journalist and political commentator Hassan al-Dorr on Wednesday.
Al-Dorr said Israel was searching for ways to counter Hezbollah’s FPV drones after failing to stop them on the battlefield in southern Lebanon.
Unlike conventional drones, which can be disrupted because they rely on radio frequencies, GPS or satellite links, FPV drones are connected to their operator through a thin cable that unwinds during flight. This allows commands and live video to travel through a physical line, making the drones harder to jam or detect through electronic warfare.
The technolgy saw a peak in the Ukrainian theatre of war.
Hezbollah, despite suffering major losses during Israel’s offensive, has in recent months manufactured and deployed the relatively cheap attack drones against Israeli forces. The weapons have exposed vulnerabilities in Israeli military operations as its troops push deeper into southern Lebanon.
The technology has given Hezbollah a low-cost way to challenge Israel’s more advanced military systems. FPV drones can be assembled using commercially available components, including drones, batteries and fibre-optic spools, many of which have civilian uses or can be bought through ordinary commercial channels.
Israeli military officials and analysts have warned that the drones are difficult to counter because they can evade expensive electronic defences and force troops to rely on radar, visual detection, nets, barriers and other improvised forms of protection.
Al-Dorr claimed Israel had turned to pressuring Lebanese authorities to block the entry of fibre-optic cables through official crossings, saying the measure had been introduced “days ago” and that security agencies and customs authorities at Beirut airport and the Port of Beirut had been informed.
He also claimed the cables were now being searched for in the same way authorities inspect shipments for large sums of cash, narcotics and other prohibited items.
Local media reports have pointed to what they describe as an unusual rise in fibre-optic imports into Lebanon, arguing that the quantities entering the market appear to exceed normal civilian demand for telecommunications and internet infrastructure. Those claims have fuelled suspicions that some imports may be intended for Hezbollah’s drone programme, although Lebanese officials have not publicly confirmed any link between cable imports and military use.
The New Arab contacted the Customs Directorate at Beirut airport and the Port of Beirut for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
Lebanese investigative journalist Riad Kobaissi disputed the claims, citing several customs and security sources.
“After reviewing the matter with more than one Customs and security source, it became clear that there are no additional restrictions or prohibitions on the import of fibre-optic cables, and neither the Higher Council of Customs nor the government has issued any decision to that effect. As long as the import process is legal and complies with regulations, no one can object to it,” Kobaissi said.
