Yeshuatami News Blog

All Things Israel

Conflict

Best Allies

By Leave a Comment


Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night…The Lord of hosts is His name. If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then also the seed of Israel shall cease from being a nation before Me forever.”  Jeremiah 31:35

If Israel’s enemies understood the above promise of God, they would have shot their missiles into the sun, the moon, and the stars. If they can destroy those ordinances, then and only then will Israel cease to be a nation before the Lord, the God of Israel. Israel fought its earliest wars even with a small army and few weapons, and God always gave Israel the victory and expanded her territory.

In every generation, another enemy rises to annihilate the Jews. Now it is Iran and its proxies that aim to destroy Israel but the Holy One, blessed be He, delivers us from them all.

So it was in the past, and so it will be – His promises are irrevocable.

It is true that the alliance with the U.S. helped Israel in the latest fight against Iran, but Israel is also able to fight alone for its existence if necessary, with God’s help as He promised.

Israel exists because of the God of Israel and His plans for the Jewish nation. The Jewish people will usher in the return of the Lord Yeshua to Jerusalem by proclaiming: Baruch Habah B’shem Adonai, (blessed is He Who comes in the Name of the Lord (Matt. 23:39) and all of Israel shall be saved. (Romans 11:26)

The Jewish people, according to God’s word, have returned to the land of Israel, built cities, and Jerusalem has been united again.

God is setting the stage for the fulfillment of His prophecies for the last days. Israel will continue to exist no matter who the President of America is.

Common Goals: US and Israel

President Donald Trump collaborated with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu by waging a massive war against the Iranian Ayatollah’s regime, declaring an ultimate common goal – the prevention of Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

In the war against Iran that started on February 28, 2026, which President Trump named “Operation Epic Fury” and Israeli PM Netanyahu named “Roaring Lion,” Israel and the United States acted as equal partners in the common goals of dismantling Iran’s military capability, nuclear and ballistic missile programs; ending Iranian support for its regional proxies – the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon – and setting the stage for the removal of the Islamic dictatorship regime.

The joint goals and war efforts between the U.S. and Israel proved President Trump’s close relationship with P.M. Netanyahu, as Netanyahu often stated:

“We are fighting shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy.”

Iran’s declaration, “Death to America and death to Israel.”, also united the fate of both nations:

On May 5, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio formally declared that Epic Fury had ended after 38 days of major combat in Iran, claiming that the U.S. military achieved most objectives—dismantling Iranian missile capabilities, neutralizing the navy, and removing immediate power-projection threats.

President Trump later added that the campaign’s formal end remained conditional upon Iran’s compliance with agreements, warning that higher-intensity strikes could resume if terms were violated. Iran promised to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which it had blockaded with missiles, drones, and mines.

Would Be Allies – Scaredy Cats

Apparently, Saudi Arabia and the UAE had requested that President Trump postpone attacks on Iran since “serious negotiations were now taking place,” claiming that both sides were close to an agreement.

Fearing uncertain consequences should the regime not change and the Iranian regime retaliate, the Gulf states were reluctant to join the fighting even when hit by Iranian missiles.

They were willing to provide any other assistance to the United States but would not participate in the war against Iran. They did not want a vengeful regime as neighbors, however battered and weakened it was.

Negotiations

While negotiations for a peace deal continued with Pakistan as mediator, hundreds of Hezbollah rockets and drones hit Israeli civilians in northern cities and villages, as well as military positions. Israel responded by bombing Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, Beirut, and Lebanon’s eastern Beqaa Valley.

The IDF (Israeli Defense Force) killed hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists and evacuated and destroyed houses in villages from where Hezbollah operated in southern Lebanon.

Bombing Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut also continued as Israel was determined to destroy Hezbollah’s capabilities once and for all to protect Israel’s northern residents.

Netanyahu insisted that no deal could include curtailing Israel’s fight against Hezbollah.

However, at President Trump’s request, Netanyahu did agree to stop bombing Beirut for the sake of the peace initiative between Israel and Lebanon.

Despite a supposed ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon in 2024, Hezbollah resumed rocket and drone attacks from Southern Lebanon on March 2, 2026.

The IDF responded by expanding ground operations in south Lebanon to protect northern Israeli communities. Sadly, there were soldier casualties almost daily.

Israel also seized hundreds of weapons hidden in civilian areas and uncovered hundreds of Hezbollah sites, command centers, missile launchers and arms depots in southern Lebanon villages.

Israeli and Lebanese officials later held five rounds of direct talks at the U.S. State Department, resulting in a framework of understandings reached on June 26 that is contingent on Hezbollah’s removal from Southern Lebanon.

Were the Negotiations A Success?

Though the war with Iran has severely damaged and weakened the regime, it hasn’t ended Iran’s nuclear project and its ballistic missile program. Iran’s proxies are still in Yemen and Lebanon.

Despite negotiations in Pakistan, Iran continued to control the Strait of Hormuz and lied about their enrichment of uranium, claiming it was for a civilian nuclear energy program. Furthermore, Iran threatened to block the Bab al Mandab Strait, another major international maritime passage connecting the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and to the Suez Canal.

Between November 2023 and February 2024, Iran used its Houthis proxy in South Yemen, which borders the Bab al Mandab Strait, to prevent 90% of international container ships from passing through that strait, and until early 2025 continued regular attacks on hundreds of vessels.

Still, President Trump gave diplomacy a chance, hoping that honest agreements could be reached even with such a regime that doesn’t hesitate to lie and cheat.

The U.S agreed to release frozen assets in cash if the regime “behaved” and proved that the cash would not be used to intimidate its own citizens and export weapons to its proxies.

The U.S. and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 17. The MoU was supposed to be an interim agreement to halt fighting for 60 days, at which time negotiations would resume, mainly about Iran’s nuclear program.

The immediate goal of the temporary 60-day ceasefire was the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies transit, to normalize the Strait of Hormuz as an international route, and to lift the US naval blockade.

However, even before a month went by, the MoU collapsed. By early July, both the U.S and Iran accused each other of breaching the temporary agreement.

Iran attempted to reassert control over the Strait of Hormuz by threatening and attacking commercial vessels, including a Qatari LNG tanker.

Though the agreement was between the U.S. and Iran at the exclusion of Israel, Iran demanded that Israel stop fighting Hezbollah. This unfulfilled demand prompted their renewed fighting.

The U.S. responded with strikes on Iranian missile installations, naval assets, and port infrastructure. President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports and expressed skepticism about future negotiations, though he didn’t completely eliminate the possibility of renewed diplomatic talks.

Although the regime has suffered severe damage to its leadership, military assets, nuclear facilities, and broader economy, it used all the strategic leverage it still had to threaten maritime commerce and global energy flows. Even with renewed sanctions, military pressure, and economic isolation that weakened the Iranian regime, Iran was able to bring about repeated shipping network disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which affected energy markets and fueled inflationary pressures.

The collapse of the MoU illustrated that temporary ceasefires may reduce immediate pressure, but fundamental disagreements and security issues remain unresolved – lasting mutual trust remains difficult to achieve in the foreseeable future.

The IRGC

President Trump seemed to understand the regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for what it was and his administration even designated the IRGC a foreign terrorist organization, and rightfully so. it is clear that the terror IRGC regime has not changed its ways. The IRGC uses front companies and oil networks to generate revenue.

The US and Iran continue to trade blows over the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. seeks to fully reopen the Strait to ensure unrestricted navigation, while the Iranian regime is attempting to establish its control over the Strait and charge a fee for its use. These are two opposites unwilling to compromise.

Trump may be moving back and forth from military attacks to possible negotiations until the mid-term elections in order for the Republicans to win.

The Iranian regime denies that any direct negotiations with Washington are taking place, claiming it is only receiving messages from the US via mediators.

The Silent Partner

While the U.S. intensifies attacks, hitting targets near Tehran and striking a rogue ship disregarding the blockade in the Straits of Hormuz, and while Iran fires missiles and drones at US allies in the region, Israel remains on the sidelines.

PM Netanyahu warned Iran that should Israel be attacked, Israel’s response would be harder than before. Meanwhile, Israel remains on high alert and fully prepared for any potential attack by Iran.

“Don’t count on it to be quiet if you attack us.” Netanyahu warned Iran, “Don’t count on a rerun. It will be a different broadcast—far more powerful.”

On June 7th, this year, Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles toward northern Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Beirut. The next night, Israeli jets hit sites near Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj, and Isfahan, targeting Iranian radar sites and industrial infrastructure, including a petrochemical plant, before a halt was called. Since then, the Islamic Republic has, so far, refrained from attacking Israel.

Iran’s IRGC instead attacked Bahrain, Jordan and three tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The Jordanian army successfully intercepted and shot down four missiles launched from Iranian territory.

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered more strikes against Iranian regime targets on Monday last week in response to the Islamic Republic’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, promising to “take over” the Strait.

On Thursday morning last week, PM Netanyahu met President Trump at the White House and later attended the memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime supporter of Israel. The two allies discussed broader regional issues.

Netanyahu said just before departing to Washington that he would discuss with Trump “all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran.”

“Of course, our goal is to safeguard our security while also expanding the circle of peace around us,” he said. “I am embarking on this mission with one clear goal—to ensure the security, strength and future of our dear State of Israel.”

Shortly after the meeting, PM Netanyahu said: “It was a meeting with full cooperation, with mutual support, with understanding on the joint goal that Iran won’t have nuclear weapons and also other goals.”

President Trump posted later: “Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu of Israel, along with myself and representatives, had a very good meeting! Obviously, many important subjects were discussed. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

Here We Go Again

Early this Saturday, it was reported that Israel was on high alert and readiness due to assessments that President Trump was close to resuming military strikes against Iran, even on a larger scale. However, last Saturday night, Trump announced that although the U.S.was ready to attack Iran powerfully, they had just been asked by Iran and other Middle Eastern countries (probably Saudi Arabia) to hold off any attack,” giving another chance for a deal “that would have to include the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s threat.”  President Trump said that canceling the attack was for the benefit of the world and a prosperous Iran “subject to rapidly making a DEAL.”

Please pray for the Peace of Jerusalem, for God’s plan and not the plans of man to come to pass, according to His purposes.

[Image from LSE blogs – Source: Flickr, Haim Zach / GPO]

U.S. President Trump’s Epic Fury -Where Is It Going?

By Leave a Comment

“אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא “

“The lion has roared, who will not fear?…” Amos 3:8a

The world is trying to understand President Trump’s intentions. So far, there are only speculations. Only Trump and Netanyahu know for sure. Their relationship is close-knit.

Trump’s sudden announcement of postponing the ultimatum to Iran for five more days surprised even the Iranian leaders, who were quick to announce that there were no talks between the two countries, and they were continuing full speed with their attacks. The war goes on.

With oil prices rising worldwide, Americans are worried about a serious oil crisis.

Trump’s announcement has caused an immediate drop in oil prices, with hopes that the war might end within these five days. This is exactly the illusion Trump intends to create.

Trump’s timing corresponds to the arrival of some thousands of American Marines as “boots on the ground” who will join the Air Force in battle. There are certain targets that are difficult for the Air Force to hit alone.

With his announcement, President Trump has gained more time to lower oil prices and play a guessing game with the world and the Iranians that, through negotiations, there could be a chance for peace.

Some countries desire to act as mediators. Qatar, which has good relations with the U.S., along with Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, is working behind the scenes to that end.

The Iranian regime strongly denies any direct talks or negotiations. While Trump is known to prefer negotiations, Iran blames him for having tricked them in the previous February talks when they believed he would not attack before they were able to prolong the talks. However, all along, Trump and Netanyahu had planned the February 28 surprise attack, ten days after he had given his 15-day ultimatum.

This time, the ultimatum affected most of the Gulf nations, which were very nervous and fearful about Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum.

Most were sure that Trump, known to carry out what he says, would act upon his ultimatum and attack Iran’s oil sites, causing an Iranian retaliation of missile attacks upon them as well. Now they can relax a little, at least for the next five days.

Trump is very familiar with the mindset of those countries. He is calming worries over the world oil market, even in the U.S., especially among Democrats and progressive liberals who oppose him. in a single tweet, he was able to lower oil prices. 

The supposed talks are being conducted under fire. The war has not stopped. Attacks by Israel’s air force and the American air force continue as we speak.

What will happen in these five days and after is anyone’s guess. There is much speculation in the media around the world, and in Israel, Most Israelis want the war to go on until total victory, aegnst the Iranian regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

According to President Trump, there are “very good and productive” talks with Iran. He states:
     “Regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East…which will continue throughout the week, I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power and energy infrastructure for a five-day period, subject to the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to President Trump’s announcement:
     “Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to capitalize upon the tremendous achievements of the IDF (Israeli army, the Israeli Defense Force) and the US military and achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests.”
     “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah. Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances.”

Prayers:

  • Achievement of all war goals
  • Elimination of all Iranian nuclear weapons
  • Elimination of all deadly missiles
  • Elimination of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard regime
  • Freedom for Iranian Christians
  • Increased revival in the nation
  • Cessation of murdering innocent civilians
  • Complete victory over the power of evil in Iran

[Image from LSE blogs – Source: Flickr, Haim Zach / GPO]

Israel at War with Iran – Operation Roaring Lion

By Leave a Comment

“אַרְיֵה שָׁאָג מִי לֹא יִירָא “

“The lion has roared, who will not fear?…” Amos 3:8a

Genesis 49:9, paraphrased from the original Hebrew: “Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my (Jacob/Israel’s) son (Judah), you have risen. As a lion having had his fill of the prey, crouched to the ground and lay down; and being a lion, who can arouse him?”

According to Matthew 1:21, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Yosheph/Joseph, betrothed to Miriam/Mary who had conceived by the Holy Spirit:
“She shall bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Yeshua, (SALVATION in Hebrew, Jesus in English), for He shall save His people (the Jews) from their sins.”
Judah/Israel (from whom came the Jews) is the lion cub and Yeshua is the Lion of Judah – King of kings, the King of the Jews, His people.

Thus let all Your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love You be like the sun When it comes out in full strength.” Judges 5:31

The enemies of the Lord, God of Israel, are the enemies of Israel. A war is raging. Since satan, God’s enemy, was banned from the presence of God because he said in His heart, “I will be like the Most High,”  He has not relented from this quest. God’s plan to use His people, Israel, for world salvation is standing in satan’s way. This is why satan is determined to annihilate Israel and has used different people and nations to achieve his plan: Pharaoh, Haman, the Greeks, the Romans, Hitler, and the Nazis in the 20th  century and in this century, Islam. 

Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime. Satan and his hosts are behind today’s Israel’s arch enemy – Iran. There is no other logical reason for Iran’s hatred of Israel and the Jews. 

History with Khomeini and Ali-Khamenei

The first supreme leader and founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran was Imam Ayatollah Khomeini, also known as “The Ayatollah,” who returned to Iran from exile in Paris in February 1979 and led the Islamic Revolution to overthrow Iran’s ruler, Shah Reza Pahlavi. “Ayatollah” Khomeini then transformed Iran into the Shia Islamic theocratic fanatic regime it is today. He was the first to refer to the United States as the “Great Satan” and Israel as the “Little Satan.” He didn’t hide his hatred of Israel or his hateful, antisemitic rhetoric, claiming that “Israel is a cancer tumor that must be removed from the region.” 

Khomeini has been criticized, among other things, for human rights violations, including the execution of thousands of Iranian political prisoners, and using child soldiers extensively during the Iran–Iraq War.

Since its very beginning, the Iranian Muslim regime has preached the destruction of Israel. Military parades have displayed missiles with slogans written on them that call for wiping Israel off the map. In 1979, the “Ayatollah” regime initiated Al-Quds Day (Day of Jerusalem), calling for an Islamic Jihad (holy war) to “liberate” Jerusalem.
Ali-Khamenei and Today’s War

After Khomeini’s death in June 1989, Ali Khamenei succeeded him. Khamenei continued the same anti-Israel, hateful rhetoric, calling for Israel’s destruction and even predicting that Israel would cease to exist within 25 years. Under the Islamic regime, Iran was no longer the same Iran as it was under the Shah’s rule, when Israel and Iran were allies and enjoyed mutual friendship.

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”  (based on the scripture from Numbers 23:24 about Israel: “Look, a people rise like a lioness, and lifts itself up like a lion…”) Even though Iran is situated more than 1,500 kilometers from Israeli territory, Israeli planes carried out a surprise attack, destroying most of Iran’s air defense systems and gaining Israeli dominance over Tehran’s air space. Surface-to-air missile batteries were also destroyed. 

Israeli airplanes attacked and destroyed the homes of Iranian senior political and defense officials, eliminating top military leaders, arsenals were destroyed, and with American help, nuclear facilities were damaged at different sites. Iran had fired ballistic missiles mostly at Israel’s populated areas, causing some deaths, many injuries, and devastation to homes and apartment buildings. 

At the end of the 12-Day war in June, with the help of the US in the last few days, Israel had inflicted maximal damage on Iran’s nuclear program and prevented an expansion of its ballistic missile arsenal. Unfortunately, the Khamenei regime remained in power and hasn’t abandoned its aspirations to annihilate Israel and reconquer Jerusalem.

Although the war set back Iran’s nuclear program and missile production, it became clear to Israel that Iran hadn’t stopped its nuclear and long-range ballistic missile ambitions, even increased its momentum toward weaponization in the months following the ceasefire. 

Immediately after the June 2025 war ended, Iran began replenishing its stocks of long-range, deadly missile arsenal. According to Israeli assessments, “Iran’s arsenal shot back up to 2,500 missiles, and was increasing by dozens of missiles per month.”

Note that even one such missile can cause tremendous devastation and death. Thanks to advanced Israeli air defense systems, most of those deadly missiles are being intercepted in the air.

President Trump

U.S. President Trump held a series of indirect talks with Iran to stop its nuclear program, while at the same time mobilizing US aircraft and several guided-missile destroyers to the region. 

Meanwhile, anti-regime protests erupted in many cities in Iran, calling for regime change. The Iranian Islamic regime responded violently, as ordered by Khamenei, and tens of thousands of protesters were massacred while thousands more were imprisoned. President Trump called on Iranians to “keep protesting” and to “take over your institutions,” adding that “help is on its way.”

However, this help was postponed by Trump’s diplomatic efforts of indirect negotiations to come to an agreement with Iran, presenting Iran with three main demands: a permanent end to all uranium enrichment; strict limits on Iran’s ballistic missile program, and a complete halt of support for regional proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Iran replied that “enrichment would continue in accordance with needs…” There was no indication they were ready to give in. It was obvious that Iran would continue and even expand its capabilities and use every weapon and means it could, at any cost, in order to survive.

Escalation and Life in Israel Today

Last Saturday morning, February 28, we suddenly received an alarming message on the phone from the Home Front Command to go into the shelters. We immediately entered the reinforced safe room in our apartment, unsure of what was happening, suspecting that war with Iran had begun.

Pictured above: Simcha sitting in our safe room, with the iron window shut.

We, the Israeli citizens, follow the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) Home Front Command’s instructions which are updated as necessary. We must remain in the safe room until the media notify us that it is safe to return to our regular living quarters.

After President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu and their advisors considered that Iran had resumed its production of nuclear and long-range deadly missiles aimed at Israel’s destruction, they decided upon the timing of their attack. According to Israeli intelligence, the Iranians had learned from the last June war and were about to hide their missiles and nuclear facilities deep underground, out of view. It was clear to PM Netanyahu that the threat had to be eliminated before Iran succeeded with this plan.

Likewise, President Trump understood the threat aimed also at the United States’ security. Together, the leaders devised a plan to eliminate threats to their countries and to the world. This time the goal was to go all the way and also to topple the entire Iranian Islamic dangerous regime.

For the first time, Israel went to war together with the world’s greatest superpower against the common enemy. 

The Battle So Far

On the first attack, February 28, according to Israeli intelligence and with the go-ahead of President Trump, Israel destroyed the compound in Tehran where “Ayatollah” Khamenei was staying with his advisors. The supreme leader, along with about 40 other high-ranking Iranian officials were killed. The supreme leader of the enemy, the vicious “Ayatollah” Khamenei, can no longer spread his venom and hateful propaganda against Israel and America.  

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned the world for decades of the nuclear threat from Iran. Now, President Trump agrees and insists the US and Israel will never allow Iran to develop a nuclear bomb.

In the first wave of attacks, Israeli air force jets completed strikes on dozens of military targets in Iran, including surface-to-air missile systems.

The Lion keeps roaring as the war continues to rage. Also, the “Epic Furry” of the US army and air force keep attacking Iranian targets.

Hezbollah Joins

Hezbollah in Lebanon has joined Iran in launching missiles and drones into Israeli cities and villages, forcing us often to take shelter along with many Israelis, mainly in the north.

We will update you on the progress of the war shortly in our next newsletter.

  • Please pray with us for victory in this war over the vicious enemy who seeks to destroy God’s beloved people. Pray for the protection of Israel’s brave pilots and soldiers.
  • Pray for the protection of the brave US fighters and a fast end to this war.
  • Pray for the people of Iran and the perfect timing for the takeover of their government. Pray for the demise of the cruel Islamic Iranian regime.
  • Please pray with us as the Holy Spirit leads.

We continue to do spiritual warfare, claiming the victory we have over all the powers of the enemy of the body of Messiah. It is in the Name of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus that we storm the gates of the enemy, which cannot stand against God’s people with God’s authority over them. Satan and all of his demons must flee. He is a defeated foe.

Amen!

Iran’s Massive Direct Attack on Israel

By Leave a Comment

Deuteronomy 20:3

He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

A Second Direct Attack From Iran

Image

The October 1st Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel included over 200 ballistic ground-to-ground missiles targeting the entire populated areas in the land of Israel. Thankfully, most were intercepted by the IDF’s multi-layered air defense network. US forces in the region also intercepted some of the Iranian missiles.
[Picture From Facebook – the remains of a ballistic missile in the Dead Sea]

The IRGC, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an Iranian military arm, excuse for the missile strike was retaliation for the assassinations of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on September 27th, as well as the killing of Lebanese and Palestinian people.

This was Iran’s second attack on Israel after its  very first direct attack on Israel on the night of April 13th, 2024 with ballistic and cruise missiles and bomb-laden unmanned aerial vehicles. That strike was a response to the Israeli air strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus that killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force.

In addition to the usual use of its many proxies, Iran has attacked all of Israel directly by firing more than 300 missiles and suicide drones.

In response, Israel has launched a series of missile strikes on Iranian military sites, including one near Isfahan, Iran’s main nuclear research facility as well as other strategic military strikes. According to many Israeli opinions, it was a weak symbolic attack yielding to Biden’s request to avoid escalation. Nevertheless, it had some significance in exposing Iran’s weak defense systems.

The second Iranian attack October 1st sent the entire Israeli population to bomb shelters while Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles everywhere.

In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran “made a big mistake and will pay for it” and that Iran “does not understand” Israel’s “determination to retaliate” against its enemies. “They will understand,” said Netanyahu. “We will stand by the rule we established: whoever attacks us – we will attack.”
(Picture of a Bibi from USA Today)

In the two attacks, Iran has fired about 500 missiles and drones, and thank God, not a single Israeli has been killed. There have been just a few injuries and little damage.

Now the question is how and when Israel’s retaliation will occur. Israel has several options. 

Iran’s Nuclear Weapon

Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon is an existential threat to the Jewish state. striking Iranian nuclear facilities would be Israel’s first response to the Iranian massive attack.

However, while still claiming that America’s commitment continues to be very clear and ironclad on Israel’s security, US President Biden demands “an Israeli response that will look powerful but will not ignite the region and still put an end to the story.”

Image

U.S. Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, is due to arrive in Israel over the weekend for what will likely be a series of meetings to discuss the situation. The main concern of the U.S. is that the Gulf States will be harmed as a result of Israel igniting the region through a massive attack on Iran’s oil and/or nuclear facilities. There were media reports of Iran threatening Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states oil facilities should Israel attack the same Iranian facilities.
Lt. Gen. Michael Kurilla testifies before the Senate Armed Services committee during his confirmation hearing on Feb. 8. (Susan Walsh/AP) Picture from DefenseNews

PM Netanyahu has threatened Iranian nuclear ambition for many years. Many in Israel see this planned retaliation as a window of opportunity for Netanyahu to do so. However, Israel has to consider the complexities and numerous consequences of such a strike. To be well protected, Iran has intentionally spread the nuclear sites across the country. The sites are hidden under rocky mountains, more than 1,000 miles away from Israeli Air Force bases, making it hard if not impossible to be targeted and cause severe damage.

However, Israel has spent years developing capabilities not yet seen in action.

The attacks on Isfahan and in Yemen demonstrate the Israeli air force can reach anywhere. 

American Directives

President Joe Biden suggested last week that Israel should not strike Iran’s oil and that he opposed strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. Nevertheless, Israel is considering attacking Iran’s oil facilities or ports. Oil is critical to Iran. This could have severe consequences on global oil markets.

What Will Israel Do?

Another option is to strike government symbols, or military targets. Striking Iran’s missile depots would limit Iran’s capability to manufacture missiles. Such an attack would ignite the weapons and produce a spectacle for all the world to see. Hopefully, this would reinforce Israel’s deterrence among its enemies in the region. Can Israel eliminate all the threats from the head of the octopus and its proxies by using only military force?

We need to pray for wisdom to make the right decision at the right time. With God’s help, we pray for a supernatural victory.

“As long as the enemy threatens our existence and the peace of our country, we will continue to fight. As long as our hostages are still in Gaza, we will continue to fight,” Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded television address, vowing not to give up on the “sacred mission” of achieving the war’s goals.

Last year on Yom Kippur, Israelis observed the holy day as usual  – kids riding bicycles in the streets and people attending local synagogues. Then October 7th happened – Black Sabbath!. This year many have truly joined in the whole month of repentance leading up to tonight – Yom Kippur. We pray that the Lord touch  our hearts as in the days of Esther, when the whole nation participated in repentance and fasting.
pray for our people in the synagogues that as they chant the regular prayers of repentance the Lord touch those hearts that truly seek Him, to return to Him through our Messiah Yeshua and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. 

Iran – The Head of the Octopus

By Leave a Comment

“You will set Your throne in Elam (Persia, today Iran), And will destroy from there the king and the princes, We pray You destroy the evil anti-semite regime of Iran and its military that aims to destroy Israel…You will bring disaster upon them, Your fierce anger,’ ‘And I will send the sword after them Until I have consumed them.'”
According to Your Word, Lord in Jeremiah 49:35, 38 

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The GOD OF ISRAEL is He who gives strength and power to His people.

Iran, the arch enemy of Israel, which many Israelis consider to be the head of the octopus, is today the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and the greatest threat in the Middle East. Iranians are not Arabs but they are Shiite Muslims. The Iranian revolutionary regime’s basic ideology opposes Western values and interests.

Iran aim is to reach the Mediterranean coast and Israel’s borders by creating a passage through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon by providing advanced weapons to its terrorist proxies to attack Israel. Today, it uses this passage to transfer military equipment and terrorists to Israel’s northern border.

Iran’s Nuclear Program

The development of Iran’s nuclear program poses an existential threat to the Jewish state and the rest of the world. It even risks triggering a nuclear arms race with the Arab world, further destabilizing the region and damaging U.S. interests. For years, the PM of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu has warned leading world nations in the world that the leading state sponsor of terrorism can never be allowed to obtain the world’s deadliest weapon. The Iranian regime has fooled the world by consistently lying of the true purpose of its nuclear program and hiding key aspects of it. Israeli intelligence has exposed Iran’s true intentions by breaking into Tehran’s Nuclear archives, demonstrably proving that Iran has been engaged in a nuclear arms developing program.

In June 2022, the IAEA Board (International Atomic Energy Agency) censured Iran for failing to provide “technically credible” answers regarding hidden nuclear sites, expanding its nuclear program beyond agreed limits, and limiting international inspectors’ access to suspected undisclosed nuclear sites.

By spending enormous amounts of money to further its nuclear project and funding its terrorist proxies throughout the region, the Iranian regime demonstrates that this is its priority over providing for their own people.

Iran’s Objective

The Ayatollah’s aims is to expand Iran’s influence in the Arab world by spreading hatred to Israel and America.

Iranian leadership encourages its people in public events to burn and stamp on US and Israeli flags and chant the slogans “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”.
Picture of Khamenei from X

Furthermore, along with verbal demonstrations of hatred toward America and Israel, Iran has taken action against the two Western nations.

The regime is a threat to U.S. forces stationed in the region, to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other U.S. allies. Since 1979, the Iranian regime has invested resources in attacking Israel and American forces deployed in the Middle East and beyond.

Iran’s Arsenol

Iran has the largest and most diverse ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East. It is the only country to develop a 2,000-km missile without first having nuclear weapons capability. Most were acquired from foreign sources, notably North Korea.
Picture from War on the Rocks
 It is noteworthy that Israel has more ballistic missiles, but they are fewer in number and type.

The fundamental motivation behind Iran’s supreme Muslim Shiite leadership is anti-Antisemitism. Since it took over rulership in the revolution, it has deemed Israel as illegitimate. According to its religious concept, “Palestine” (the land of Israel) belongs to the Muslim Palestinians and not to the ‘Jews.’

In their pure antisemitic libel propaganda, Israel is a Western imperialist state and the Jews advance American imperialism in the Middle East. According to the Ayatollah’s regime, this is a struggle between good (them) and evil (America, the big satan, and Israel the little satan.) and that Muslims have a religious obligation to resist Israel and global Jewry, accusing the Jews of being the first to start anti-Islamic propaganda.

Iran’s “Sacred Duty” and the Proliferation of Anti-Semitism

The Ayatollahs claim that resistance to the Jewish state is the sacred duty of “every Muslim and anyone who believes in Allah.” “Israel is a cancerous tumor on Islam’s body [in the Middle East] that must be removed [from existence.]”

Recently, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared: “The divine promise to eliminate the Zionist entity will be fulfilled and we will see the day when Palestine will rise from the river to the sea.” (that is the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea (which is today the land of Israel.)

Iran’s supreme leader leads in Holocaust denial, making such false ridiculous statements as: “there are documents showing close collaboration of the Zionists with Nazi Germany, and exaggerated numbers relating to the Jewish Holocaust that were fabricated to solicit the sympathy of world public opinion, to lay the ground for the occupation of Palestine, and to justify the atrocities of the Zionists.”

For four decades, the Iranian regime has propagated hatred for Zionism and the Jews by promoting the infamous booklet, “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion” and other anti-Semitic tracts.

Iran trains and arms terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah, promoting their attacks on Israel.

For the last year, the Head of the Octopus Iran has been using its arms to fight Israel on several fronts. With ground troops in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel’s air force backs those forces by bombing enemy targets to thwart attacks from Yemen and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. Israel also fights Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists in the Judea and Samaria.

Escalation

Iran’s last missile attack last week could likely provoke an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.This would open the largest, biggest, and most intense front so far.
(Illustration from The Cryptonomist)

Last Monday, 7th of October, Israel marked the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 massacre when thousands of Hamas terrorists stormed into southern Israeli cities and villages, destroying civilian homes, murdering, burning, beheading, and raping and kidnapping over two hundred Israelis.

Two people were injured on the Memorial Day of October 7th, 2024, while sirens sounded across central Israel as a result of rockets fired by Hamas from northern Gaza.

An estimated tens of thousands of Iranians participated in a procession through Tehran with a leader enticing the crowd in chanting “Death to America!” “Death to Israel!

Before the October 7th first anniversary, in a video statement on October 5th Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Today, Israel is defending itself on seven fronts against the enemies of civilization…and we are fighting against Iran, which last week fired over 200 ballistic missiles directly at Israel and which stands behind this seven-front war against Israel,” Netanyahu added.

The Iranian ballistic missile barrage came in response to the limited Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon to eliminate the Hezbollah threat. It was the first land incursion since the war against Hezbollah in 2006.

Following intelligence that Hezbollah is hiding its weapons and missiles inside homes of southern Lebanese villages, the IDF informed the Lebanese residents to evacuate before the IDF dismantled the Hezbollah infrastructure, underground tunnels included.

“We are targeting Hezbollah strongholds that threaten northern Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and communities along our border,” said IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari. He presented evidence that Hezbollah was planning an operation involving thousands of its terrorist fighters copying Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terror attack on Israel.

“Hezbollah turned Lebanese villages next to Israeli villages into military bases ready for an attack on Israel,” he said. In addition to ground raids, the Israeli Air Force has also increased its air attacks on  Hezbollah headquarters since mid-September, including the capital, Beirut.

Terrorist Leadership and the IDF

Until now, Israel has eliminated the commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force following the air raid Damascus on 1 April 2024, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Teheran, Hezbollah leader and key Iran ally Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut on 27 September and many top Hezbollah commanders. All the while the IDF continues to target Hamas, Hezbollah, and all other regional foes.

Octopus (Illustration from Stable Diffusion Website)