Mojtaba Khamenei
(Official photo per Wikipedia)
Iran continues to resist and fight back against the attacks by Israel and the United States:
New Ayatollah’s First Message: Hormuz Strait Stays Closed, Warns ‘More Fronts’ Could Open
March 12, 2026
Ayatollah Mojtaba in first public message says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz should be continued as a tool to pressure the enemyMojtaba vows to keep attacking US bases, and signals ‘new fronts’ could soon open …
Coming near in time to each other Thursday morning, President Trump and Iran’s Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued public statements. This marks the first public statement by supreme leader Mojtaba since replacing his slain father. The statement has been posted to Iranian state TV sources, and below are the most crucial remarks.
Mojtaba says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz should be continued as a tool to pressure the enemy. He additionally states that “all US bases should immediately be closed in the region and those bases should be attacked.” Indeed these attacks have been ongoing this week, as the cross Gulf drone and missile strikes continue, also reportedly most recently in northern Iraq, and around Erbil. On the question of base attacks, he claimed that Iran “only” targets military bases and sites, and says this will continue. However, he did try to assure angry Gulf neighbors, who have been pummeled by Iranian missiles and drones for close to two weeks now, that Iran believes in “friendship with our neighbors”. The message further praises ‘martyrs’ of the Islamic Republic and is one that emphasizes Iran is not backing down, despite the immense daily US-Israeli bombings. He also ‘thanked’ regional militias for their ‘support’ – at a moment Shia Iraq militant groups are said to be launching strikes on US targets inside neighboring Iraq. Ominously, the new Ayatollah is warning of opening “other fronts”.
As for President Trump, he’s still seeking to try and calm global oil prices, posting “The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran.” This once again echoes lines from the Bush era war in Iraq. He also said he’s stopping Iran “from having Nuclear weapons” and “destroying” the Middle East and “the World”. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/two-more-tankers-hit-bringing-total-six-ships-oil-tops-100-after-trump-declares-we-won
Iranian attacks escalate across Middle East as container ship struck near Dubai
March 12, 2016
Multiple countries across the Middle East, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, reported fresh Iranian attacks on Thursday as tensions are escalating in the region during joint U.S.-Israeli military action with Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion. A container ship also was struck near Dubai. https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/us-iran-israel-war-latest-march-12-live-updates
March 12, 20226
• Oil shock: The International Energy Agency says the world is facing the “largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market” as Iran escalates its attacks on ships and the release of emergency oil stocks failed to calm prices. The US energy secretary said the Navy is not yet ready to escort vessels through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
• In Iran: Up to 3.2 million Iranians have been forced to flee their homes amid US-Israeli strikes, the UN warned. In some of the latest strikes, state media said Israeli drones targeted checkpoints of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group tasked with propping up the regime.
• In Lebanon: Israel’s defense minister instructed the military to prepare for expanding operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hundreds have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in renewed fighting. …
The Iranian regime shows no signs of imminent collapse nearly two weeks since the start of the US and Israeli war, according to American intelligence assessments described by two people familiar with the situation.
The bombing campaign has taken out dozens of senior Iranian officials, including the supreme leader, in addition to eroding Iran’s missile capabilities. But it hasn’t yet caused serious risk to the regime’s grip on power, the intelligence assessments show. https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-12-26
Iran seemingly believes it will win a war of attrition.
Yet, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have other ideas.
Here is the view of a retired US Army colonel:
Ret. Col. Lawrence Wilkerson: Netanyahu Could Turn to Nuclear Bombs If Iran War Escalates
As President Trump gives conflicting statements about the length and objectives of the war he launched with Israel against Iran, fears are growing that the conflict could continue to expand throughout the region and beyond. Lawrence Wilkerson, retired U.S. Army colonel and former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, says the U.S. and Israel are committing wanton “war crimes” in Iran. “We have bombed civilians relentlessly. We have bombed a school. We have bombed a hospital,” says Wilkerson, who also suggests Western media outlets are downplaying the extent of the damage in Israel and how successful Iran has been in defending itself.
“This is a war with long legs. Trump has completely misinterpreted it,” says Wilkerson. “The only one who’s interpreted it correctly is Bibi Netanyahu, and I think he’s ready to use a nuclear weapon, should it become as bad as it looks like it might right now, because Iran has not even began to shoot its most sophisticated missiles.” https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/10/lawrence_wilkerson
Is it possible that Benjamin Netanyahu may use a nuclear bomb?
Yes.
But not yet.
The Book of Isaiah points to an Iranian confederation causing great damage to Jerusalem:
1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.
What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”
5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots,And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning,For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts,”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 22:1-14 NKJV)
Elam seems to be a reference to at least some in Iran. The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:
Iranians comprise nearly 70 percent of the country. Iranians, though Islamic, are totally distinct from the neighboring Arab peoples of the Middle East. They are a mixed people of the remnants of Media and Elam and other ancestors of Semitic and Hamitic stock. (Stump K. South Asia in Prophecy. Plain Truth, July/August 1986, p. 5)
As I wrote last Spring:
The Book of Isaiah points to an Iranian confederation causing great damage to Jerusalem (Isaiah 22:6-9) …
Such damage may cause Israel to retaliate, and perhaps even dropping one or more nuclear bombs on Iran. (Thiel B. Iran says an attack by Trump will have it go nuclear as it moves its missile launchers as a precaution. COGwriter, April 1, 2025)
Israel may figure that it has the go-ahead from Donald Trump — especially if Jerusalem is greatly damaged — so it can go all-out to attempt to destroy the Iranian regime.
With that in mind, consider the following Roman Catholic writings:
Abbot Herman of Lehnin (died 1300) Towards the end of the world “Israel will commit a terrible crime for which it will suffer death.” (Culleton, R. Gerald. The Prophets and Our Times. Nihil Obstat: L. Arvin. Imprimatur: Philip G. Scher, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno, November 15, 1941. Reprint 1974, TAN Books, Rockford (IL), p. 151)
Roman Catholic priest and writer R. Gerald Culleton (20th century): Towards the end of the world the Jews are to commit some atrocious crime for which they will be greatly persecuted … the Great Monarch … This Lion Monarch … together with the Great Pope or Angelic Pastor, shall appear after socialism … (Culleton, pp. 25,27,28,50)
Some have suggested that “after socialism” may mean after communism falls, like it mainly did in the late 20th century. We are getting towards the end of this age right now.
The “atrocious crime” could refer to an attack (possibly nuclear) by Israel or some other Israeli action. Or perhaps a combination of factors.
That said, a while back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to Iran and Israel:
15:03
Iran and Israel Conflict
European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, has been brokering the nuclear negotiations involving Iran and said that he thinks the deal is “in danger.” Iran blames the United States, whereas the USA says they are not delaying it. Israeli sources stated that Israel will stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Joe Biden says the USA would use its own military power to prevent Iran from getting such a bomb if need be. In 2021, Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill seeking the government by law to commit to Israel’s destruction by the year 2040. Does the 22nd chapter of Isaiah point to damage coming to Israel from Iran and possibly Syria? Might Iran be concerned enough about limited progress with the USA to launch some type of attack? Is Iran the prophesied ‘King of the South’? Is it reasonable to think that the prophesied peace deal of Daniel 9:27 will not happen until after a military conflict. like a regional war? Should Christians watch the Middle East? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Iran and Israel Conflict.
We are in a time of wars and rumors of wars as Jesus foretold (Matthew 24:4-8).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
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