The Middle East stands at a boiling point once again. Iran has issued a fresh warning of “all-out war” should the United States or Israel strike its nuclear facilities. But as “The Watchman” host Erick Stakelbeck has pointed out, this time, Tehran is speaking from a position of weakness rather than strength.
Iran’s once-feared ‘Ring of Fire’—the terror network surrounding Israel—has been severely weakened. Hamas, Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies have suffered devastating blows, while Israeli strikes have crippled Iran’s air defenses. The regime’s threats, though loud, lack the bite they once had. However, with Donald Trump back in office, Tehran knows it faces a renewed “maximum pressure” campaign, far different from the leniency it enjoyed under the previous administration.
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But Iran is not the only power maneuvering in the region. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has reaffirmed his alliance with Hamas, welcoming its leadership to Ankara. As Stakelbeck has long warned, Erdoğan is no mere politician—he sees himself as the leader of a revived Islamic empire. His vision, rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology, is to reclaim Ottoman-era influence, with Jerusalem as a central focus.
The most troubling reality? Turkey remains a NATO member, enjoying military privileges while openly backing Hamas. Stakelbeck highlights the glaring silence from Western allies, who turn a blind eye to Turkey’s radical shift. Meanwhile, with Iran’s influence in Syria fading, Erdoğan sees an opportunity to expand Turkish control in the region. Russia, despite its geopolitical rivalry with both nations, has formed an uneasy partnership with Iran and Turkey—united by their shared hostility toward Israel.
All of this aligns with a greater biblical reality. The prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39 describe a coalition of nations rising against Israel in the last days. Iran (Persia) and Turkey (Beth-Togarmah) are both named among them. Stakelbeck has repeatedly pointed out that the geopolitical shifts of today are setting the stage for prophetic fulfillment.
Iran’s hostility toward the United States is nothing new. Since 1979, it has waged war through terror attacks, assassinations and proxy militias. But under Trump’s leadership, that war is no longer one-sided. The elimination of Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani, was a turning point, proving that America would no longer tolerate Iranian aggression.
Now, with Netanyahu leading Israel and Trump back in office, Iran and its allies know their usual strategies—blackmail, terror and threats—may not work. 2025 is shaping up to be a decisive year. Either Iran will succeed in its nuclear ambitions, or its program will be neutralized.
The prophetic chessboard is being arranged. The enemy may rage, but Scripture assures that Israel will not be destroyed. These events are not random; they are part of a greater plan. The storm is rising, but the victory has already been won. The King is coming.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.