Women hold pictures of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as people gather for a rally in solidarity with Iran after Friday prayers in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, on June 20, 2025. (Credit: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters)
BEIRUT — Risks of a spillover to Lebanon from the war between Iran and Israel, which broke out on June 13, are raising worries. This comes about seven months after the cease-fire agreement that followed a 13-month war between Hezbollah — Tehran's ally — and Israel.
However, official authorities in Lebanon state that there is no emergency plan in place at this stage. In contrast, other official sources indicate that Lebanese authorities are now implementing security measures and conducting diplomatic contacts to prevent the war from expanding into Lebanon.
Apart from that, most officials and sources who responded to L'Orient Today's requests for information were unable to provide additional details about the contingency plans discussed during these meetings.
Last Friday, following Israel's attack on Iran, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reviewed emergency measures prepared by security agencies and relevant ministers to address any direct or indirect repercussions on the domestic situation.
A day later, President Aoun chaired a security meeting, during which several measures were taken to maintain stability in the country and ensure the safety of civil aviation and air traffic.
Israel and Hezbollah were engaged in a war between October 2023 and November 2024 that killed around 4,000 people in Lebanon and 170 more since the cease-fire agreement reached in late November, as Israeli violations of the agreement continued.
Fears in Lebanon about a possible future involvement of Hezbollah to support Iran emerged since the war started. However, a source in the group, which was heavily weakened by its last war with Israel, told Reuters on June 13 that the party will not initiate attacks on Israel in response to its attacks on Iran.
Despite this, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Thursday that the group stands “alongside Iran" and is acting as it deems “appropriate in the face of this "Israeli-American aggression.”
In response to Qassem, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, said on Friday that there will be no more Hezbollah if the group attacks Israel in support of Iran.
What are the measures taken so far?
Regarding whether an emergency plan has been put in place concerning the Iran-Israel war, a source at the Grand Serail told L'Orient Today Friday that there is no such plan yet, without elaborating.
Despite that, an anonymous source close to the Lebanese presidency told L'Orient Today Friday that several measures were implemented by security agencies since the start of the war, including monitoring Palestinian camps and tightening surveillance of Hamas leaders, to prevent any involvement by any pro-Iranian group in the war.
According to the same source, the Lebanese authorities made political contacts with parties that they are concerned will take action in this war, and the response was that there is no intention in this regard. "These measures and contacts are taking place every day because there are daily developments [in the war]," he added.
Another source close to the Baabda Palace, who wished to remain anonymous, told L'Orient Today on Wednesday that, during the meeting chaired by President Aoun on Saturday, the participants agreed to "keep the Lebanese Army on alert at all times."
Contacted by L'Orient Today, the army and the Defense Ministry were not immediately available to comment.
Reimplementing last year's contingency plans?
In August 2024, around a month before the escalation of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, the former caretaker Lebanese government made an emergency plan, which included converting public schools into shelters for displaced people. Still, following the intensification of the war, many found themselves homeless and sleeping on the streets.
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Despite those results, the first source said that last year's mechanism "could be directly implemented if, God forbid, something happens." When asked whether officials are now preparing plans similar to those of last year, the second source told L'Orient Today that there is some assurance that the war will not expand to Lebanon, especially as Hezbollah is unwilling to enter the war.
Nuclear radiation incident?
Since the start of the Israel-Iran war, concerns over a nuclear radiation incident have increased. When asked about whether this risk was discussed in last Saturday's meeting, the second source said, "I don't think we are in that kind of situation."
The first source echoed these comments, saying that there is no reason until now to cause panic for people, as there are no indications in this regard." However, it said that if something happens, there are "measures that could be taken" without elaborating further.
On Thursday, MP Najat Aoun Saliba called on the government to "activate the preventive measures recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization ... and guide citizens to the correct methods when any radiation is detected in the air.”
What about imports?
Regarding imports, which could potentially be impacted if the war escalates, the General Manager of the Economy Ministry, Mohammad Abou Haidar, told L'Orient Today on Friday that as long as sea crossings remain open, there is no concern about goods.
Iran has recently threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which almost one-third of maritime fuel transport passes. Commenting on the measures taken by the Ministry to face any consequences, Abou Haidar simply said that the Ministry is expediting transactions to release all goods as quickly as possible.
