Middle East Forum Executive Director Gregg Roman spoke with Fox News about Israel’s escalating strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon, reports of a senior Hezbollah figure being killed in Beirut, and growing regional fallout involving Iran and Qatar. He assessed Israel’s military options, the strategic weakening of Iran’s proxy network, and whether the current moment could open the door to a new Middle East security architecture resembling a regional NATO.
FOX NEWS: We have a couple of breaking developments. Israel is hitting Hezbollah hard in Lebanon, and we’re being told by the IDF that a Hezbollah terrorist was struck in Beirut. We do not yet know who that individual may be. Hezbollah is currently led by Naim Qassem, who was appointed after Israel killed the group’s previous leader in September 2024.
FOX NEWS: Another piece of breaking news — Qatar’s foreign ministry says Iran has to pay a price for what it calls a blatant attack on its people. Iran appears to be losing another friend in the Middle East, as Qatar has been caught up in much of this unfolding situation.
FOX NEWS: From Tel Aviv, we’re joined to discuss the news as it unfolds. Israel is hitting Hezbollah hard in Lebanon, including strikes reaching southern areas of Beirut where Hezbollah has long been headquartered. What do you make of this announcement that Israel has killed a senior Hezbollah figure there?
ROMAN: Israel has been involved in roughly three months of challenges with Hezbollah and Lebanon since a ceasefire followed Hezbollah’s attacks on northern Israel. Israel is now taking plans out of the drawer and considering retaliatory moves, including targeted assassinations.
ROMAN: Israel is maintaining all options. At the same time, it has tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers mobilized to finish the job that began after October 7.
FOX NEWS: We’re looking at what could be a historic change across the Middle East. If the Iranian regime — the sponsor of so much terrorism that has run Hezbollah and Hamas — were removed, those groups would collapse as well. It’s hard to put into words what that would look like. Can you put it into words?
ROMAN: There’s an opportunity to go one of two ways. The first — and the one I would prefer — is for Saudi Arabia, Gulf Arab countries not currently part of the Abraham Accords, and other Sunni states to join an expanded Abrahamic alliance.
ROMAN: This wouldn’t just be about economic, trade, or cultural cooperation. It would be a formal military alliance — imagine a Middle East NATO.
ROMAN: You’re already seeing Iranian targets hit across Arab countries that aren’t just symbolic locations. These are key allies in the region standing with the United States and Israel and engaging directly against Iranian assets.
ROMAN: There may be some vacuum created by the removal of groups like the Houthis, but Sunni actors are moving not to promote Western interests, but to advance their own regional ambitions.
ROMAN: The pieces are on the board. The architecture is moving in the right direction. You saw it in the comments from Qatar’s foreign minister. But we still have to be cautious about what might replace Iran if the regime falls.
FOX NEWS: Fascinating to watch how this may play out. Gregg Roman, thank you — we hope to have you back again soon.
