Israel and Iran at War
by Mike James
In mid-June, the Israeli air force launched strikes against military and nuclear targets in Iran. This was followed by missile strikes by Iran into Israel. The Israelis are justifying their attack due to the existential threat they perceive from Iran. Israel claims that if Iran were to obtain nuclear capability, Israel would be in jeopardy of a nuclear strike from Iran. But like anything we hear from government officials, we might wonder if this is entirely true.
BEER SHEVA, ISRAEL - JUNE 24: Emergency and rescue responders work to recover human bodies at the rubble of a building after a ballistic missile fired from Iran strike a building at the city on June 24, 2025 in Beer Sheva, Israel. Iran and Israel have continued to exchange aerial attacks in the days after the United States joined the war and bombed several Iranian nuclear sites. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
If Iran were to launch a nuclear weapon at Israel, we know Israel could also do the same to Iran. Israel is known to have a secret nuclear weapons program themselves. They also have never signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran is a signatory to the NPT. Some estimates put Israel's nuclear weapons at 90. Yet they have never publicly acknowledged having the weapons.
When the US and USSR were locked in the Cold War, they both knew a nuclear attack was out of the question due to the realization that it would lead to Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). Why would the same not take place between Israel and Iran?
The Israelis argue that the leadership of Iran, as well as many of their military leaders, are hell bent on obtaining a bomb to help usher in the end times. Some of this thinking stems from the time Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was ruling Iran from 2005 to 2013.
Controversy swirled around Ahmadinejad for a statement he made quoting former Ayatollah Khomeini. Some reported the statement as he wanted to wipe Israel off the map, meaning by military means. Others interpreted the statement as he wanted Israel removed in a spiritual sense.
Shi'ite Muslims believe that their 12th imam, the Mahdi, born in 869 A.D., did not die but was hidden by Allah and will eventually reappear as the savior of humankind, ending our present chaos and bringing justice to the world.
Some commentators and Israelis argue that some of the Iranians in policy positions believe they can help usher in the time of the Mahdi by a war of some type. The Mahdi is expected to return to the scene during a time of extreme chaos. Some believe Iran may want to bring about chaos to usher in the time of the Mahdi. But some experts disagree with this assessment.
According to Najam Haider, professor of religion at Barnard College, "The Ayatollahs certainly don't think in these terms," says Haider. "Almost every single high jurist in Iran you speak to will say, 'We don't know when he comes. Only God knows what time he will show up."
There is no doubt that there are elements within the Iranian government and military who want Israel destroyed. Some of these same individuals would want the same for the United States. But believe it or not, there are factions within the Iranian government and military who understand that is not possible.
But could there be other reasons Iran wants a bomb? Yes. Remember, Iran and Iraq fought a war that was initiated by Iraq from 1980 to 1988. The war was very costly to both Iran and Iraq. Having a nuclear bomb would defend against any nation thinking about going to war with Iran. Having a nuclear weapon would also have deterred Israel from doing what they and the United States recently did to Iran.
I'm not suggesting support for the Iranian regime. But it is important to understand all the facts pertaining to a situation and not just the ones that are promoted by the sphere of influence you reside in.
There is no doubt Iran supports Hamas, Hizballah, and the Houthis. All three groups are known for terrorist attacks and atrocities. But the origin of each of those groups was related to a countermeasure against what those groups perceived as attacks against their people. Hamas originated in the late 1980s due to the continued Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip after the 1967 war. Hizballah was formed in 1982 after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon to root out Palestinian terrorists. The Houthis rose to power during the Yemeni civil war. An international coalition led by Saudi Arabia tried to remove them from power in 2015.
And let us not forget what helped precipitate the Islamic Revolution of 1979. The manipulation of politics in Iran after World War II. In 1953, a coup by the Iranian army overthrew Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. The coup was supported by the United States and the United Kingdom; the coup aimed at strengthening the autocratic rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The coup also helped protect British oil interests in Iran.
So, what could this recent war lead to from a prophetic point of view? Some have argued that Iran is the King of the south despite the fact Iran is primarily east of Israel. If the Iranian regime falls and a regime like the Shah's takes over, we will not be looking at Iran as a king of the south in the short term.
If the Iranian regime survives, the know-how to create nuclear weapons will still exist with the Iranians. Muslims have a long memory. There will be a reason now for future retribution by Iran against Israel due to Israel's attack on Iran.
Most of the wars in the Middle East since 1948 have centered around the creation of Israel as a nation in 1948. Until there is a resolution to the Palestinian/Israeli issue, there will not be peace in the Middle East. This latest war might be an impetus to solving the Palestinian issue.
The end of the Iranian regime may lead to greater peace in the Middle East over the short term. With Iran and its proxies diminished and defeated, a new era may be dawning whereby a false sense of peace may ensue (1 Thessalonians 5:3).
Without any outside support, the Palestinians may realize they will have to negotiate a settlement to their differences with the nation of Israel. If that happens, there is a greater possibility for a future temple being built in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15).
But if things continue as they are, a candidate for the King of the South does not appear clear at this time in history (Daniel 11:40).
Sources: "Which Countries Currently Have Nuclear Weapons?" by The Associated Press, June 17, 2025, https://www.yahoo.com/news/countries-currently-nuclear-weapons-121543046.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
"The Apocalypse, Messianism Define Ahmadinejad's Policies," by Abbas Djavadi, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, December 9, 2009, https://www.rferl.org/a/The_Apocalypse_Messianism_Define_Ahmadinejads_Policies/1899060.html
"1953 Iranian coup d'état," Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1953_Iranian_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat
"Did Santorum Suggest Iran Wants Nukes to Bring Back Messiah?" by Azmat Khan, January 13, 2012, Frontline, https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/did-santorum-suggest-iran-wants-nukes-to-bring-back-messiah/
"The nuclear fatwa that wasn't—how Iran sold the world a false narrative," by Khosro Sayeh Isfahani, Iransource, May 9, 2024, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/iran-nuclear-weapons-fatwa-khamenei/
"What is the NPT, and why has Iran threatened to pull out of the treaty?" by Yasrash Sharma, 17 June 2025, Aljazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/17/what-is-the-npt-and-why-has-iran-threatened-to-pull-out-of-the-treaty
"How Israel Deceived the US. About its Nuclear Ambitions," by Glenn Kessler, The Washington Post, June 24, 2025.