Same song, thirteenth verse. Over and over and over again we’re told Iran is begging for a deal. And over and over and over again we watch Iranian madmen do what they always do…call for a ceasefire when they are getting their behinds handed to them, only to violate every part of the ceasefire, all while rearming and repositioning military assets to drag the “great Satan” (America) back into a conundrum we can’t seem to get out of. Meanwhile, they may say they want a deal but then deny they are even negotiating for one. Will we bite that apple once again? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!

It’s much like the mother in a grocery store telling her screaming 3-year-old he has until the count of 3 to straighten up. Of course he doesn’t, so Mom sidesteps discipline and gives him a treat to keep him quiet for a while. The truce lasts until aisle 3, and you watch the scenario take place again every odd numbered aisle throughout the grocery store! Just like Iran, the 3-year-old knows just how much he can get away with and how to angle for the treat. Meanwhile, the adult in the room can’t seem to figure out how to deal with the issue!

Regarding Iran, from the beginning, the position taken here is that it is impossible to negotiate with a religiously motivated adversary using geopolitical tactics. The Iranian regime is driven by Shia Islamic theology that holds they MUST create havoc and destroy the infidels, their theological archenemies (Israel and the west), in order for the Islamic messiah to come. You simply can’t negotiate in geopolitical terms because all that matters to them is the destruction of Israel and ultimately the US. That will gain them glory in Islamic eternity, and that is what motivates them. The Iranian regime doesn’t care about their people or even their land. Bomb all you want, but all Iranian leadership must do to “win” is survive.

One thing for certain: Iran will survive. Biblically speaking, we know with absolute certainty that, in the end, Iran will join Russia, Turkey and others to invade Israel from the north. Read Ezekiel 38 and know:

• Gog is a title referring to a czar-like leader from the far north of Israel. To the far north of Israel is Russia, a modern-day nation known for czarist leadership. A czar-like leader from the far north will lead a coalition against Israel.
• If you do the etymology (study of word origins) in this passage, you find that Meshech and Tubal are areas in Russia, Persia is modern-day Iran, Cush is an area around modern-day Ethiopia/Sudan and surrounding territory, Cush is modern-day Libya (and perhaps extended area), and Gomer and Beth-togarmah likely include at least parts of modern-day Turkey.
• Those people groups will invade Israel, yet God’s fury will mount up, and His wrath will be turned upon those attacking nations. (Verses 18-19) He will enter into judgment against them and totally destroy them. (Verses 20-23)

Only then will Iran cease to be a threat to Israel.

So, back to the foolishness of geopolitical negotiations with a crazy theologically driven regime. Iran will NEVER voluntarily give up its nuclear ambition. They will NEVER cease to view Israel as the little Satan, and they will NEVER view America as anything other than the great Satan. Oh, they may occasionally sign an agreement (such as the MOU) if they think it will buy them more time to rearm, but they have proven to violate every such agreement they have ever signed. They have no intention of abiding by any peace agreement because their theology commands them to destroy the infidels!

Furthermore, in the Middle East, you don’t talk, you act. How many times have we heard that Iran gets “one last chance,” then we’ll strike them harder than we’ve ever struck them before? How many times have we heard that if Iran fires at another ship in the Strait of Hormuz, we will take out a bridge or a power plant? How many times have we heard that Iran has until such and such day to make a deal or we’re going to do this or that? Particularly in the Middle East, if you’re going to shoot, shoot! Don’t talk about it, and don’t bluff!

This is not an indictment against the Trump administration. This is a warning that the longer we kowtow to Iranian balagan (Hebrew for “chaos, mess, or disorder”), the deeper we find ourselves in a Middle East quagmire. Actions, not words, will move the needle toward some degree of resolution (even if temporary).

But how? That’s the million-dollar question, and I don’t claim to be a military expert or have all the answers. But what I know from God’s Word is this: Iran is not going anywhere. Given that, what can be done to stunt their aggressive plans? Below are some thoughts to chew on. Not all are feasible, and quite assuredly, an armchair Commander-in-Chief does not have nearly enough intel to have a real clue about it all, but perhaps there is merit in something.

• Our very best opportunity to put this to rest was at the point JD Vance and others convinced the President we should enter a pseudo-peace agreement (known as the MOU), and try to deal with Iran diplomatically. Hey, I’m all for peace, but Biblically speaking there will never be peace with Iran. We should stop fooling ourselves!
• At that point, America had the opportunity to critically disable the Iranian regime. According to reports (some from retired military Generals), 2 more weeks of targeting key Iranian infrastructure may well have left the ayatollah and the IRGC without means of carrying out their tyrannical ambitions. Did we miss the critical opportunity to finish the job well and in a timely manner?
• Fully tightening the financial noose around the neck of the IRGC would prevent them from exporting terrorism to their proxy groups around the world. The boldest, harshest sanctions ever should be put on the country and its leaders, as well as those who try to do business with Iran. Starve the Iranian regime financially and it severely limits what they are capable of doing.
• Taking over Iran’s oil industry (which likely means taking over Kharg Island) would decimate Iran’s economy. If the US and her allies kept half the profit (the cost of managing the export operation) and put the other half in trust to rebuild for the Iranian people, the Iranian regime would have little to no economic footing to stand on. The other alternative: destroy Kharg Island. (Though that would leave the Iranian people without a means of rebuilding.)
• In a different vein, why not invest the money we’re spending in military funding on building pipelines to move oil and gas away from the Strait of Hormuz? Make the Strait of Hormuz obsolete. Beyond that, why is America doing the bidding for European countries dependent upon the oil coming out of the Strait? Why aren’t they fending for themselves? Should we pull out? Also, what would happen if America (who is oil and gas independent) pulled out of OPEC, leaving the countries that depend upon the oil and gas flowing through the Strait of Hormuz to do what is necessary? We could export to allies and still have enough American oil and gas to provide for our country. (If disconnected from OPEC and the world market, couldn’t we regulate our own gas prices?)
• Whatever happened to arming the Iranian people so they could over-throw the tyrants in power? At least some reports indicate America and Israel had worked out a plan to transfer arms to the Kurds (an ally), who would then infiltrate Iran and distribute weaponry to the citizens. By some accounts, JD Vance leaked that information to Turkish President Erdogan, a slimy leader who wants to reestablish the old Ottoman Empire, and himself as caliph. Apparently, he blew the lid off that plan.
• Even if the ayatollah and the IRGC are bankrupt and powerless, it will only be temporary. But wouldn’t it be nice to send missionaries into Iran, where the world’s greatest spiritual awakening is already taking place! There is a harvest to be had if the Gospel is able to broadly reach the Persian people!

We’ll end with this. I fully realize how unpopular this perspective is, and I’ve heard all the accusations about war hawks and neocons. I am neither. I am not for war but realize there is a time for war and a time for peace (Ecclesiastes 3:8). Our involvement in places such as Afghanistan and Ukraine were unwise. There is no Biblical tie there, and no diplomatic agreement that necessitates it. Fighting geopolitical wars and fighting for Biblical causes are two different things. God’s Word doesn’t just suggest that we bless, stand with and support Israel, it gives stern warning to do so. God’s Word is a perfect guide!

Furthermore, I do not agree with everything the Israeli government does. Nor do I agree with everything the US government does. None of us are righteous, yet God has a special place for the Jewish people…just as He does for those of us who have put our faith and trust in Him. Standing with Israel does not mean agreeing with everything they do. For heaven’s sake, God has meted out discipline upon His people and His land for millennia. They are NOT perfect. Yet, He promised Abraham and his descendants a land and a people FOREVER! And He also commands us to bless Israel and to stand with Israel.

What more opportune time to stand with Israel than when enemies such as Iran vow to wipe them off the face of the earth! And oh, by the way…Israel is only the “little Satan.” Iran’s ultimate target is the “great Satan.” As Americans, even if you don’t believe the Biblical reasons to stand with Israel, that should be enough!