Iran Says it May Launch a Pre-Emptive Strike

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Iran

The war of words in the Middle East continues to escalate as not only did Iran cut off oil exports to the UK and France, one of its officials is raising the prospect of it attacking its enemies (apparently a reference to Israel and possibly the USA) pre-emptively:

21 February 2012

Iran: Pre-emptive strike against enemies possible

CBS/AP)A senior Iranian military commander signaled the Islamic Republic might launch a pre-emptive strike against its “enemies” if the nation’s leaders felt an attack on Iran was imminent, providing another example of ever-escalating tensions between Tehran and the West over its nuclear program.

In a clear shot across the bow, the deputy head of Iran’s armed forces, Mohammad Hejazi, told state media on Tuesday: “Our strategy now is that if we feel our enemies want to endanger Iran’s national interests, and want to decide to do that, we will act without waiting for their actions,” according to the Reuters news agency. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57381545/iran-pre-emptive-strike-against-enemies-possible/?tag=stack

Of course, with statements from the USA Defense Secretary Panetta that he feels that Israel will attack Iran in April, May, or June of this year (see Panetta Believes Israel Will Attack Iran in April, May, or June 2012), Iran already has enough “justification” to claim that an attack against it is imminent.

I would suspect, however, that Iran would wait for something a little more specific (including perhaps pointing to something somewhat irrelevant) to start an attack against Israel. I would add that it is unlikely that Iran would be so foolish as to pre-emptively and directly attack the USA as it knows it would not possibly win. But stranger things have happened.

LCG’s Roderick C. Meredith has repeatedly and publicly stated that Iran will not be the King of the South (Meredith R.C. Last Great Day Sermon. Clearwater, Florida. October 25, 2005).

Dr. Meredith has also specifically stated,

The King of the South is not Iran…The King of the South cannot be Iran. Iran is north of Jerusalem (Meredith RC. Endure with Faith. Sermon, Charlotte (NC), September 10, 2005).

I should probably add here that the Iranians are Persian, and not Arabic. They primarily speak Farsi, which is not an Arabic language. While the Iranians tend to be strict Muslims, they are NOT Arabs ethnically, but could provide some support to the King of the South.

Because I do not believe that it will 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 may be involved.

Watch! (Mark 13:37)

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

The Arab 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 does Islam teach about the Imam Mahdi?
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? Is he the Imam Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start in 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?