MP Ashraf Rifi confirmed to “An-Nahar” that he has been aware for a long time of the impending downfall of the Iranian regime and Hezbollah. He stated that based on the information he had, he previously warned Speaker of the House Nabih Berri, just before the support and distraction war, that the party should not get involved, otherwise the Shiite community and Lebanon would bear heavy costs. The events following the missile launches confirm that Hezbollah operates under Iranian directives, drawing Lebanon into a conflict that is not of its making.

Regarding the potential for the United States or the international community to invoke Chapter Seven to dismantle the military wing of the party, Rifi remarked, “Honestly, we may not need that, as the party is already finished and will end militarily. What remains of its weapons is scrap metal. For months, Hezbollah has been targeted in assassinations and military operations without retaliation. They defended Khamenei, yet have never responded to attacks on Lebanon. Given this context, I assert that all possibilities are now on the table, and a decision has been made by the United States and other countries to expedite the dismantling of the party’s military wing.”

He noted that they had previously warned the party, but they were obstinate and did not listen, leading them to expect the worst. He suggested that while invoking Chapter Seven is likely, the more critical issue is that military operations occurring in the region will ultimately dismantle both Hezbollah and Iran. He emphasized that attacks on the Gulf states constitute an assault on Lebanon as well. The actions of Iran, launching strikes on capitals and Gulf regions, are blatant and malicious aggressions that will lead to their downfall, just as Hezbollah—one of Iran’s instruments in the region—will also meet its end. Rifi highlighted that when Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed, Iran did not respond, but when Khamenei was attacked, Hezbollah retaliated. Lebanon is now paying the price; therefore, Chapter Seven may indeed be on the horizon, with a decision already made to eliminate the party’s military wing.