Syria foils alleged Hezbollah plot as cleric warns of Iranian plans to disrupt oil supplies

Syrian authorities announced the arrest of two individuals allegedly linked to Hezbollah on suspicion of plotting an attack on the Homs oil refinery. Hezbollah denied the allegations. A Lebanese cleric suggested the plot fits Iranian interests to disrupt energy supplies, though no independent evidence has emerged.

Syrian authorities announced the arrest of two individuals allegedly linked to Hezbollah on suspicion of plotting an attack on the Homs oil refinery in central Syria, saying explosives intended for the operation had been seized. Hezbollah categorically denied the allegations. The Syrian announcement came one day after a Lebanese ministerial delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, visited Damascus to discuss Syrian refugees, security coordination, border management, and bilateral relations. Syria's Internal Security Forces said the General Intelligence Directorate foiled the plot following a surveillance operation that led to the arrest of two suspects identified only by their initials, M.S. and B.Sh. Explosives and other equipment were reportedly seized. Hezbollah's media relations office issued a statement denying any involvement, maintaining it had no organizational or operational presence inside Syrian territory. The Media Line could not independently verify the evidence. In an exclusive interview, Lebanese cleric Sheikh Issa Khair al-Din argued that potential threats to Syria's oil infrastructure should be viewed within the broader context of regional tensions involving Iran and global energy markets, suggesting Tehran seeks to drive up oil prices and disrupt supply routes. He also noted the timing of the announcement coincided with the Lebanese delegation's visit, which included Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar, nominated by Hezbollah. The Homs refinery is one of Syria's main facilities for producing petroleum products and underwent maintenance in October.