The Iran War – Could It Mark the Start of WWIII?

The following is an analysis of the Iran conflict aimed at explaining the mindset of America and Iran and showing how this war is likely the beginning of something much larger.

The Iran conflict changes on a daily basis, and it can be difficult to give in-depth reporting and commentary with Scripture (particularly given other responsibilities at present). But it is entirely plausible that we may all have witnessed what will later be pointed to by historians as the start of WWIII, and it therefore demands comment. I also believe it could simultaneously bring about the fulfillment of other prophecies which have had question marks surrounding them. In an effort to be concise, this article will not include all of the news hyperlinks to news article that Prophecy Letters normally do (but please feel free to look up news articles to verify as you see fit). We will summarize what happened, where we are today, where it seems like things are headed, and (very briefly) how prophecy may tie into it all. While Israel is involved in this war, the emphasis will be on America’s role, because the greatest relevance to Israel relates to that aspect.

America’s Goal & How It Started

It seems that the very start of this conflict set events on an irreversible path toward a world-changing conflict.

This round in the Iran conflict started on February 28^th this year when America and Israel conducted joint strikes on Iran. The targets were Iranian officials, including the Supreme Leader Khamenei, Iranian nuclear sites, and other high-value Iranian assets. Their Supreme Leader was killed and the strikes wrought incredible damage, but the goal still seems to have been missed. Iran is too big to destroy, and the United States knows that. It’s also a very tricky one for American to try and tackle. Here’s why:

1. For one, it is literally too big and its assets too dispersed to destroy swiftly. Iran has learned over the years to spread out their assets to make effective attacks on them more difficult.

2. The topography makes it a fortress. It is rocky and mountainous in many areas, and Iranians have learned to dig deep caves and tunnels underneath mountains to store weapons, nuclear material, and forces. This makes effective airstrikes and bombing nearly impossible.

3. Its location also makes it difficult for America to isolate because of Iran’s sea access. Because of Iran’s proximity and influence over the Strait of Hormuz – an essential route for international trade – this gives Iran teeth it can bite back at America with.

4. Its neighbors present a problem for the US. Being situated next to Russia and China, America must keep these two rival-powers in mind so as not to excite them to war as well. If direct war broke out between America and either of these two powers, this would almost unquestionably constitute WWIII.

Given these factors (and many others), it seems that rather than destroy Iran, Trump had one of two hopes:

1. Hit Iran so hard and in the right places that either Iran conceded to American demands. This included the defeat of their military effectiveness and also the strangulation of their economy. If the US could shut off Iran’s income sources, it would force the nation to submit.

2. Weaken the regime to great enough extent that a revolution took place which resulted in the overthrow of the government. You may recall seeing Trump and Netanyahu telling the Iranian that “it’s time for you to take your country back” when this started. The exiled crown Prince Reza Pahlavi was prominent in headlines around this time in the hopes that if Iranians did overthrow their cruel government, a ruler who is friendly to America would be installed.

But the plan obviously didn’t work as hoped. Their Supreme Leader was killed and protests did arise throughout the country, but the Supreme Leader’s son was installed and the regime continues on. (Have you noticed that we don’t hear of an Iranian revolution nearly as much as we did a couple months ago?) Rather than capitulating like American hoped, Iran dug in deeper and decided to hit back. American bases were attacked and Iran seized control of the Strait of Hormuz. When Iran seized the Strait, they threatened to destroy any ship that passed through it unless they pay a heavy fee. This put America in a very difficult position because now the war was going to impact America and American allies. This part is essential to understand. While America is without question the most powerful nation on the planet, sheer military power is not all that matters. Political power can be even more effective, and Iran has been using that to its advantage.

Iran’s goal appears to merely stay alive. It seems that they are wanting one of two things to happen:

1. Create international discomfort so other nations pressure America to quit. By seizing the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian essential grabbed the world economy by the neck (CNBC). This war no longer just impacted just America, Israel, and Iran – it was impacting American allies. 20% of the world’s oil passes through that Strait. By seizing the Strait and threatening the destroy any ships which passed through it, Iran effectively cut off that artery of the world economy. Prices started rising all over, the result is that America’s allies have been asking Trump to stop the war so the economy can “go back to what it was”.

2. Force America into a forever-war that Trump is forced to back out of. Iran knows its advantages, and they know that the only way to defeat the US is through political power. Their goal is therefore to force the US into such an impossible situation that they have no choice but to back out. We have seen that bombs and missiles are not destroying the regime. The short version of this is that if Iran can force America to either put boots on the ground (which would result in enormous US casualties given the nature of the geography and Iranian bases) or push the conflict forward so Russia and China get involved, this will create so many problems for Trump at home that he will either be forced to back out or push, or drive the world to WWIII.

   
   

Where Things Seem to Be Heading

Given the nature of Trump and, more importantly, the situation the conflict is in, it seems almost inevitable that further escalation will ensue, and here is why: When Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, the only ships that could pass through were ones which paid a heavy fee to Iran, and these essential funds allowed Iran to financially stay afloat. In an effort to counter this, America blockaded Iran’s blockade to make sure that no ships could pay the fee. Again, America cannot destroy Iran, but they can try to strangle its economy and force it to submit. But by blockading Iran’s blockade, America effectively pushed Russia and China to get involved. Russia and China do not America to have strong presence in Iran, and they therefor have every motivation to give Iran whatever tools it needs to beat out America. Even though Iran couldn’t bring in funds and materials through the Persian Gulf (which was blockaded), it has the benefit of the Capsian Sea to the north, and on the other side of that sea is Russia. China has a railway that essentially follows Iran’s northern border, so Russia and China basically told Iran, “We know that America is choking you in the south, but we will give you whatever funds and supplies you need from the north.” This has been taking place, and it effectively countered America’s blockade or Iran’s blockade (CNBC, Atlantic Council).

The question for America is then, “Why can we do now?” To stop Russia and China from supplying Iran would mean taking them head on, and that enters WWIII territory. The only other option is to either back down and retreat (not likely!) or to put boots on the ground. There has been talk of a deal being made and getting close to approval, and while this could happen, it seems that it is a stalling tactic for Iran and will not materialize. America is in a pretty tough spot. The only other way to directly harm Iran would be to put American boots on the ground in an effort to go in and take out the regime physically. Because Iran has their command so dispersed throughout their enormous country and tucked deep into tunnels, this would be a long, costly, and dangerous venture that would certainly result in countless America casualties. It is no coincidence that a new draft policy will take effect in America in December this year – every male between 18-26 “will be automatically registered for the military draft pool” (CNN).  

(NOTE: If you are a believer who is in this category and has not yet filed as a conscientious objector, please message me and I can connect you with some brethren who can help).

America today is not the America of WWII. Back then, the nation rallied together and became a well-oiled war machine dedicated to winning WWII. The country was largely able to set aside their differences to fight the war, but how different the situation is today! Liberals and conservatives are more divided than they ever have been, and rather than coming together for a common purpose, a boots-on-the-ground war in Iran would further divide the country. This would likely mean big trouble for Trump, particularly once casualties started mounting up. As relates to Israel, it must be acknowledged that many Americans believe that America is only in this conflict because of ISRAEL. This is yet another thing which is turning Americans away from Israel.

But even if the nation did rally together and America was able to invade Iran, would Russia and China allow this to go un-countered? Not so. Those nations would ne forced to respond by sending in their own troops, and once American troops directly fight Russia troops, WWIII is here. As you can see, America is already fighting a war against Russia and China – they are just fighting each other through Iran.

To summarize: From where we are today, it seems that the situation will either lead to greater escalation and WWIII or the retreat of America from the Iran conflict (and potentially the Middle East as many analysts are saying).

How Does this Relate to Prophecy?

My intent with this article was to provide some commentary on the nature of this conflict, so I will try to be as brief as possible with this part (perhaps to a fault, but this article is long enough already).

In my view, I believe this is driving a wedge between the America people and Israel, and it will only act to worsen the relationship and lead to Israel’s isolation on the world stage. I write frequently of Israel’s isolation and how that is an essential piece of the Divine plan for Israel’s redemption (I discussed it in this last article from April - The Great Undoing – The Reversal of the American-Israeli Relationship). This Iran conflict is heading in directions that seem to make it almost unwinnable for America, and the longer it drags on, the more Americans are hating Israel. While the American government may be willing to fight on behalf of Israel, the American people are not any more.

In essence, while this conflict was undertaken to weaken Iran and create more security for America and Israel, it is more likely to leave Israel more vulnerable. Some analysts are suggesting that this could create so much domestic chaos in America that Trump is either impeached or the new presidential elections will install a liberal president who is more than happy to pull out of the Middle East and leave Israel all alone. If this leads to WWIII, that’s a whole other thing worthy of its own article.

Like all future projections, the only thing can be certain of is that God's Word will come to pass. The thing we must watch for is how it will be fulfilled. Let it be known that WWI resulted in the clearing of the land of Israel and WWII resulted in the nation’s birth. Each has played a pivotal role in the Divine plan. Given those historical facts – and they are facts – it would cause us to conclude that WWIII would result in the appearance of the nation’s King!

It’s also worth noting that we are seeing a Russian-Iranian relationship described in Ezekiel 38 – Russia is acting as a “guard” and protector of Iran (Persia) like we see in Ezekiel 38:7. That being said, this prophecy requires much more development for fulfillment.

For those wanting more info on how Iran can effectively combat the US, this article does a good job: Iran can’t ‘win’ this war. But it can force a US retreat using these 4 insurgency tactics.

All in all, I believe this war is going to have a profound effect on things moving forward. It seems that this has been Divinely structured so that there is no “going back to how things were before it started”. The chess pieces are moving, and we can take great confidence and peace in knowing that they are working as God has designed them to. Let us ensure that our focus is on the coming Kingdom and not the present things of this world, for while the world is being swept up into emotional and political fury and excitement by these things, we know that they are the signs of our Lord’s soon return. We must view world events through the lens of Scripture, not natural eyes:

Isaiah 55:8-11 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  (9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (10)  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:  (11)  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.