1st published in May 2019; updated June 2025
A Game of Provoking
Iran has not always been a Middle Eastern country ruled by Ayatollahs.
It was the 1970′s Islamic Revolution which catapulted these tyrannical rulers into the power they now possess. Next, they captured 66 American citizens remaining in the U.S. embassy in Tehran and held 52 of them hostage for more than a year, releasing the African Americans (because they could relate to the Revolutionaries cause), the sick and all women (because they did not believe they were spies). They refused to negotiate with the American government making it very difficult to barter for a release of the prisoners. Many countries stepped in to try to help, even the International Court of Justice ruled in favor of the United States—but to no avail. The U.S. military tried a covert operation to free their fellow citizens which proved disastrous. From mechanical failure of air power to outright air collisions (which resulted in additional American deaths) it seemed as though America was under a curse. This positioned the Americans to be viewed with greater disdain by the Iranian Revolutionaries which considered America as “The Great Satan”.
It was not until a new government had been formed, plus, the death of the Shah of Iran that negotiations opened up between Algerian diplomats, who mediated between the Iranian and U.S. governments. (Just a note: the Shaw (ruler of Iran before the revolution) had escaped the Revolutionaries, but fell sick needing medical treatment only available in the U.S. Once the Revolutionaries found out, they demanded the Shaw be returned to stand trial in Iran. However, the Americans would not return him and within a short time later he was said to have died.)
Needless to say relations between the Islamic Republic and the United States have been strained ever since. Perhaps they were at their best in the 1980′s when the world leaned about the U.S. NSC (National Security Council) which sold Iran antitank and antiaircraft missiles in direct conflict with U.S. policy which stated they were not to bargain with terrorist nations. U.S. officials were under a mistaken belief that such a sale would secure the release of American citizens who were being held captive in Lebanon by Shiite terrorist groups loyal to Iran. Once again, the U.S. did not seem to understand how to deal with the Iranians.
Over the years, the Strait of Hormuz, which runs between Iran and Oman, has traditionally been a sea of conflict. It is a narrow stretch of water that provides passage for nearly all oil traffic for the Persian Gulf region—not only Iran, but, also Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The United States has navy ships that assist with the flow of maritime traffic due to the sometimes aggressive actions of Iran′s navy and IRG navy—yes, Iran apparently has more than one navy. December of 2015 saw action from the Iranians that were described as highly provocative by those that were there. Apparently, Iran fired several unguided rockets about 1,500 yards from two U.S. vessels and other ships—just for testing sake—without warning.
In 2016, ten American sailors (9 men and 1 woman) in two small patrol boats drifted into Iranian waters due to alleged engine trouble. They were swiftly approached by the Iranians who captured the boats, searching through equipment, computers and cell phones (user names and passwords provided by the sailors), plus detained those on board for 15 hours. During this time the Iranians terrorized and humiliated the U.S. sea persons at gunpoint, then took pictures for posterity. This happened four weeks before the 37th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. At the anniversary they re‐enacted the capture and humiliation of the U.S. sailors while continuing their chants of, “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”—all of this happening after the signing of the Iranian Nuclear Deal or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). This is how they showed their appreciation to the U.S. Recently, the Iranians have again threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz. Under the provisions of the 1958 Geneva Convention or the Third United Nations Law of the Sea Conference (UNCLOS) they would be unjustified in blocking the passage of all vessels—that includes aircraft as well as maritime traffic. Of course, not everybody follows the rules.
In 2019, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reported to say, "Iran and the Iranian nation have resisted America and proven that, if a nation (Iran) is not afraid of threats by bullies and relies on its own capabilities, it can force the superpowers to retreat and defeat them..."
At one time Persia ruled a vast domain under Cyrus the Great who was the first to recognize the importance of tolerance and diversity. He was instrumental in helping the Jews return to Israel and rebuild the temple (ref Ezra 1:1‐4; Ezra 6:3‐5). Unfortunately, the Ayatollahs of today′s Iran only propagate hatred toward Israel (the little Satan) and America (the great Satan). That was then, and today things have no changed with Iranian officials saying they do not want war. Back then the Iranias announced to the country that they were nearing a full‐scale confrontation with the enemy (the U.S.)—they also expected to win that confrontation. During a graduation ceremony for cadets the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted, “Increase your power as much as you can, because your power scares off the enemy and forces it to retreat.” In another public speech he said, “Iran and the Iranian nation have resisted America and proven that, if a nation is not afraid of threats by bullies and relies on its own capabilities, it can force the superpowers to retreat and defeat them.” The Intel back then expressed concern that Iran has been secretly arming commercial ships with missiles. Their plan of attack was to flood the water ways with a lot of armed small Iranian vessels herding toward the larger U.S. vessel with the hopes of the larger (no matter how well equipped), succumbing to the smaller invasion. German Intel had reports that Iran was indeed “making efforts to expand its conventional arsenal of weapons with weapons of mass destruction.” They defined weapons of mass destruction as the spread of atomic, biological and chemical weapons. There were also many other preparations the Iranians planned in expectations to a battle with the U.S.
In 2018, U.S. President Trump withdrew from the Iranian Nuclear Deal recognizing it was a bad deal for the U.S.--it would not stop, or even hinder the Iranians from going nuclear. The President issued more sanctions on Iran with the hopes of restraining their government. They needed money badly to finance their insidious tactics—all while saying, we have no intention for war.
Fast forward to 2025, the world now has an Iranian regime that insist they are only enriching their uranium to low levels of enrichment. However, The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] believes Iran has been enriching uranium up to 60% fissile purity, although U.S. Intelligence believes the percentage to be higher--85%. Therefore, a few days ago, to prohibate Iran from becoming a nuclear-armed state, Israel began bombing Iran's nuclear sites with extreme accuracy, not only destroying stuctures, but also killing many of the scientists who worked on the nuclear programs. Nevertheless, the current leadership of Iran again refused U.S. offers to make peace--this time was no exception. So, Saturday night, June 21, 2025, the United States bombed, with precise precission, Iran's deep under ground nuclear facilities. The result was again considered a great success. (Note, if you are worried about civilian casulties, the Israel's did send alerts to the civilian population to remove themselves from these facilities and even get out of the cities where the bombings where to accure.)
After these bombings, Iran sent it's diplomats to their very good alli, Russia, to see what could be done in retailiation. There have been no official responses from either the Russian, nor the Iranians of how the meeting went; but, it is resonable to expect that even though President Putin of Russia would like to help, he is not in a position to do so--he has his own war to worry about and does not have cash, soldiers, neither military might to spare.
As of June 23-24, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a cease fire between Iran and Israel. Will it last? The Scriptures indicate it will not; we are merely observing the prophetic hand of God moving these two countries, and others, into a better position for the great war with Israel (some call it WW3), which will include Russia and many Arab nations-with a unexpected retailiation from the United States.
How does this relate to Bible Prophecy? The Scripture says, And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet‐Matthew 24:6. As these rumors of war have been sounding for many years, between many nations, end‐time events are seriously lining up with the Bible. The Bible also indicates that Iran (or Persia) will exist in the latter days. It is written, I will bring you (Magog‐Russia) out, and all your army (soldiers), horses (vehicles) and horsemen (drivers), all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield (weapons), all of them wielding swords (handling their weapons effectively); Persia…with them, all of them with shield and helmet (weapons/military gear)‐Ezek 38:4,5. They will attack Israel.
Do you really understand what is happening in the world today? Do you worry about your future? What about your children's or grand childrens future? Consider reading this link and if you haven′t already, read BibleStudies.org homepage. Don′t depend on government leaders to ensure your future—you have none on this earth. Events are going to happen that will greatly change your life style—no matter in whom or what you believe, and no matter where you live. The only real future is to surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
Sources:
britannica.com (The Iranian Revolution) britannica.com (Iran hostage crisis) britannica.com (The Iran Contra Affair) seekingalpha.com bbc.com jpost.com-Right from wrong: Bringing Iran to its knees newsweek.com asil.org jpost.com-German Intel: Iran wants to expand to weapons of mass destruction usnews.com cnbc.comPhoto:Jerusalem; End-Time.com