استعدوا لحرب بلا خطوط حمراء سيتم تدمير كل شيء ..شارل شرتوني: قائد الجيش والضباط يأتمرون بإيران!

Summary

In an interview on Hashtag Beirut, Dr. Charles Chartouni argued that the October 7 attack and the ensuing war marked a major shift in the Middle East. In his view, the old regional order—particularly Iran’s “unity of arenas” strategy, which relies on allied groups—has been badly weakened, but no stable replacement has emerged. He described the region as entering an open-ended period of conflict.

Chartouni said Israel’s response reflects deep despair about reaching a political settlement under existing conditions. He predicted that any renewed attack by Iran or its allies could provoke a much broader confrontation, arguing that Israel and the United States have moved beyond the idea of limited operations and that the strategic outlook is one of “total war.” He also described US policy toward Iran as a prolonged war of attrition, especially economic, and said he believed Iran’s governing system had reached its end.

On Yemen, Chartouni interpreted recent developments as part of a renewed US-backed effort to curb the Houthis. Citing reports in international media, he said Saudi and Israeli intelligence officials had held consultations on regional and Gulf security, while acknowledging that details of any agreements were unclear. He argued that Saudi Arabia and other regional powers had learned they could not act independently of US influence.

Turning to Lebanon, Chartouni said Hezbollah’s continued military role makes coexistence with the group untenable and risks renewed destruction in the south. He blamed Lebanon’s political leadership for failing to use the ceasefire period to implement the agreement to dismantle Hezbollah’s military presence south of the Litani River. The host challenged his criticism, noting that Lebanese officials say Israel has continued strikes and impeded the army’s deployment.

Chartouni made particularly serious allegations about the Lebanese state and army, claiming they lack independence and that Hezbollah and Iran exert control over them. The host explicitly cautioned that she did not endorse accusations against the army. Chartouni also alleged that Hezbollah had built extensive tunnels and military infrastructure across Lebanon, and claimed that efforts to buy Christian-owned property were part of a wider political project. He further asserted, without presenting evidence in the interview, that the Beirut port explosion was deliberate and intended to alter the capital’s demographic and geopolitical balance.

He concluded that Lebanon faces a decisive moment: either its leaders establish a functioning state and Hezbollah’s influence is challenged, or the country could move toward fragmentation and another war. He called on Shiite communities to reject what he described as Hezbollah’s and Iran’s political narratives and develop new political leadership.

These were Chartouni’s opinions and allegations; the interview did not independently substantiate them.

Presenters and contributors

• Presenter/interviewer: Not identified in the subtitles
• Guest: Dr. Charles Chartouni