What a way to spend Memorial Day weekend…wondering if the Trump administration was about to cut a deal with Iran, and whether or not it would be another gut punch to America, to Israel, and to the Iranian people. With such great emphasis on making the 250th anniversary of America’s independence the grandest celebration ever, one would think the weekend in which we honor our fallen heroes would have been more America-focused and less focused on Iran and the on again-off again nuclear agreement. But alas!

Apparently, the king of dealmaking is also the king of misdirection and deception. From social media posts touting an imminent deal (including a Memorandum of Understanding) to memes depicting bombs destroying all of Iran, President Trump keeps the whole world guessing, and officials on both sides of the issue up in arms!

When news of a bad imminent agreement came out on Friday night, hawks such as Lindsey Graham, Mike Pompeo, and Retired General Jack Keene voiced strong opposition to the Trump administration capitulating to Iranian demands that would leave the regime intact, emboldened, and deadly if given sanctions relief, the ability to continue enriching uranium, and the opportunities to continue arming terror proxies.

Meanwhile, doves such as those who believe Israel is the problem, and that gas prices are more important than Iran’s existential threat to destroy the little Satan (Israel) and the great Satan (America) are all to anxious for the President to cut a deal that would ultimately allow Iran to remain in control of the Strait of Hormuz and able to continue their nuclear ambition.

Early reports seemed to indicate US capitulation but were apparently (and thankfully) not accurate. Trump often reminds us he will not make a bad deal like the one Obama made. Yet, he also insists the American negotiating team is close to an agreement with Iran. If true, that’s very concerning. Why? When we look at America’s “red lines” side-by-side with Iranian “red lines,” it is awfully difficult to see even a hint of pathway to an imminent agreement, short of capitulation.

AMERICAN DEMANDS	IRANIAN DEMANDS
Iran must hand over uranium stockpile	Iran to maintain uranium stockpile
Only 1 low-level nuclear facility in Iran	Full right to enrich uranium
Sanctions remain until compliance, Iranian financial assets remain frozen	Full termination of all sanctions, release of all Iranian assets
Ceasefire conditioned upon negotiations	Total ceasefire on all fronts (including Lebanon)
US naval enforcement of access to Strait of Hormuz	Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, end of US blockade
Oversights by US forces who will remain in the region	Withdrawal of all US forces in the region
No compensation for war damages	Full compensation for war damages

Iran has proven historically to drag out negotiations as long as necessary, knowing the American people are not a patient crowd. The regime knows that political pressure from within the US is even more beneficial than their own efforts. Of course, if all else fails, they will sign a piece of paper, then immediately break every agreement contained therein. They are neither honest nor trustworthy.

Having said that, we are wise to withhold judgement of any deal or activity until we know specifically what the agreement is. The latest reports seem to indicate the Abraham Accords are being leveraged to draw Mideast nations into a more comprehensive agreement. While there is room to be wary of an agreement with Iran, we cannot rule out unknown details yet to be announced.

Regardless, here are some things to consider in light of an agreement:

• Will the most pro-Israel American President in history stab a knife in the back of Israel? If Iran has even the slightest nuclear capability, will they not immediately exploit it against Israel? Likewise, if a ceasefire includes action in Lebanon, do we think for a moment Hezbollah will not reconstitute (with Iranian backing) and attack Israel’s north once again?
• Will the desperate citizens of Iran be hung out to dry by the same President who promised them, “Help is on the way.”
• Will America and the west live to regret falling for Iran’s same old tricks of doing everything possible to drag out negotiations, only to concede nothing?
• If given relief from sanctions (10’s of billions), and if left with the capacity to continue enriching uranium (or retaining what’s currently buried), do we really think Iran will behave as a civil nation?
• Is it conceivable that the leopard that has lied and cheated throughout history has changed it spots?
• Are we really willing to let Iran off the hook after having blown up countless US service members over the years, and recently attempted to assassinate President Trump and his daughter, Ivanka?
• Can the self-proclaimed greatest dealmaker outwit the most cunning, dishonest, deceptive, and evil negotiators in the world? The stakes are high. Let’s pray God’s wisdom rules the day.

One social media influencer offered these contemplative statements:

History is consistent: durable peace follows decisive victory, not managed stalemate. Post-WWII total victory resulted in 80 years of peace among former great powers. No sequel war. The Korean armistice gave us a frozen conflict still technically active today. Vietnam’s negotiated withdrawal gave the region chaos. [So did Iraq!] …Frozen conflicts, even for short periods, just reset the timer and reward whoever prepared better for round two. Stalemate management feels responsible, but they often just postpone the bill, with compounded interest.
~Nadim Koteich on X

Finally, there are two oft-repeated points worth mentioning once again:

1. The Iranian regime is driven by a strong religious belief that they are appointed by their (little “g”) god to bring about chaos, destroy the infidels (those who disagree with their theology), wipe the “little Satan” (Israel) from the face of the earth, wipe out the “great Satan” (America) and, thus, usher in the Islamic (little “m”) messiah to rule the world. They are fighting a RELGIOUS war, not a geopolitical one. RELIGIOUS enemies cannot be defeated by geopolitical negotiations. Such negotiations are meaningless to those who believe they are called to destroy you! (Could explain why God commanded the Israelites to absolutely abolish the Canaanites!)
2. As believers, why are we surprised by today’s chaotic mess? True Bible students know that Iran is part of the Ezekiel 38-39 coalition that will pour into Israel in an all-out attack in the last days. Iran is not going anywhere, and what is happening now simply positions chess pieces on the prophetic chessboard for that not-too-distant future confrontation. Scripture does not tell us the specific time of that event, but based on positioning of pieces, checkmate seems only a move or two away. The question is: will we allow it on our watch?

Praying friends, now is the time to petition the One who declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) to declare righteousness upon the hearts and minds of world leaders. In a messed-up world, may many of them receive divine revelation from the Lord Himself to seek righteousness. May egos fall, and concern for the people of Iran rise. Pray for the negotiating teams to strive for righteousness, and for boldness to act when necessary if the opposition pursues evil.

Indeed, the stakes are high, but we know who wins in the end! We must pray with every ounce of obedience in us, but we should also rest in the knowledge that our sovereign God is not at all taken aback by any of this. He is not confused by it, nor is He unable to handle it! He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He will have His way, regardless of who is cutting deals and disregarding them! We fight on our knees and will one day bow before our Victorious Warrior! Jesus reigns!

BTW – Did you know America has an expiration date? Check back tomorrow when we consider that idea.