Iran and the Increased US Presence in the Gulf

US F-22 Stealth Jet

The USA has increased its military presence in the Middle East and Iran seems concerned:

May 1, 2012

US strikes a military pose for Iran
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi

For all the talk of the United States’ long-standing hegemony in the oil-rich Persian Gulf, its military superiority is not without shortfalls that, in turn, show significant flaws in its ability to maintain a “credible military threat” against Iran…

Tehran to be beware that, should the Baghdad talks fail, the wrath of Uncle Sam is likely to fall.

This is in light of the widely-disseminated news over the weekend that the US has deployed its latest generation of stealth bombers at “Iran’s doorway”, possibly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)…The United States has deployed a number of stealth jets, its most modern, fifth-generation fighter bomber…F-22 Raptors…http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/NE01Ak02.html

Iran opposes presence of foreign forces in Persian Gulf

30 April 2012

TEHRAN, April 30 (Xinhua) — Senior Iranian military commanders said the Islamic republic opposes the presence of foreign forces in the Persian Gulf which undermines regional stability, the English-language satellite Press TV reported Monday…a deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, Rear Admiral Ali-Reza Tangsiri, said the Iranian forces are currently at the highest level of preparedness in the Persian Gulf…This means there is no justification for the presence of outsiders in the area, Tangsiri was quoted as saying. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2012-04/30/c_131561215.htm

Iran is concerned and should be. In a conflict involving the USA at this time, Iran (along with likely allies such as Syria and some in Lebanon) will not win.

Because Iranian leaders believe that the purpose of their revolution was to prepare the way of the leader they call the Imam Mahdi, and that they believe that chaos is first needed for this to happen, they may decide that Allah is on their side against the USA (they have suggested that in the past). This will be a mistake for Iran.

This does not mean that the USA itself could not be hit hard. Possible terrorist incidents, chemical weapons, biological weapons, dirty bombs, emp bombs, and/or other moves could hurt the USA.

Yet, since Iran will not be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:4-43), I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. A serious regional conflict in the Middle East may neutralize Iran and neutralize much of its influence. And Syria (Isaiah 17:1) and parts of Lebanon and others, possibly even part of Iraq, may be involved, and not do well themselves.

The King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40) must rise up. And since it will not be Iran, the drum beats of war in the Middle East and/or as possible revolution within Iran may be what eliminates Iran from the leadership role it wants for the Islamic world. The move of US stealth-fighters and other weapons in the area could be a step towards neutralizing Iran.

Jesus said to “watch” (Mark 13:37).

Some articles of related interest may include:

Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?