Lebanese state’s permission not sought for Iranian fuel imports, minister says

BEIRUT — The Lebanese government has received no request for fuel to be imported from Iran, the caretaker energy minister said on Wednesday, appearing to confirm that Hezbollah has bypassed the state with a move to import Iranian fuel.

Hezbollah announced last month the shipment of Iranian fuel oil was on its way to help ease crippling shortages, and has subsequently announced two more shipments.

Satellite imagery on Wednesday showed that two tankers carrying Iranian fuel to Lebanon have yet to depart, Tanker Trackers said on Twitter.

“The first tanker should be in the southern section of the Red Sea by now,” the tracking company added. “Awaiting visual confirmation.”

Lebanon’s fuel crisis, caused by a broader financial meltdown, has forced even essential services to shut down or scale back operations.

Hezbollah’s opponents say the decision to import Iranian fuel has further undermined the authority of the state and exposed Lebanon to the risk of US sanctions. Hezbollah has not announced details of where the tankers will dock.

Asked about the Iranian shipment, the caretaker Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar told journalists, “Our role is restricted to import permits; we did not receive a request for permission.”

Asked if this meant the ship was coming without permits, Ghajar said: “No. We do not have information. Permission was not requested from us. This is all I am saying.”

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (Amal/Zahrani), an ally of Hezbollah and one of the most powerful figures in the state, said on Tuesday he welcomed any support, including from Iran, to help Lebanon get through its crisis.

This article has been updated to include information from satellite imagery on the whereabouts of the tankers.