Iran Threatens Babylon the Great (Daniel 8:4)

Iran’s supreme leader warns of coming escalation against America

by Tom Rogan  | May 07, 2019 02:13 PM

Iran on Wednesday will announce its suspended conformity with the terms of the 2015 nuclear agreement. This reflects Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s embrace of a more adversarial foreign policy.

The signs are clear. Supreme Leader Khamenei offered a thinly veiled pledge on Mondayto escalate against the U.S. As Khamenei put it, „If God assists a nation but they fail to appreciate it, they will be slapped. Today there is no option but to stand against the devils, tyrannies and disbelievers.“

Taken from a speech on Monday, Khamenei’s language is particularly interesting. Describing Iran’s theological identity („God assists a nation“) as the requirement for aggressive action („no option but to stand against“), the supreme leader is framing his words as a theological responsibility. This is noteworthy in that revolutionary Iran’s Shia-Khomeinist ideology centers in the supreme value of ferocious struggle against superior odds. Leaving little doubt as to his theological messaging, regime media reports that Khamenei concluded his speech by referring to „Imam Khomeini“ as having „taught us how to act and we took action.“

Khamenei has ultimate control over foreign policy.

Now consider what President Hassan Rouhani is planning for Wednesday. As hardliner Iranian media outlet Fars News observes, Rouhani is almost certain to suspend Iranian cooperation with significant elements of the nuclear deal. That might lead to the European Union’s reimposed sanctions on Iran, or it might not. But it’s clear where Russia stands. Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif is meeting with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Tuesday. That meeting reflects Russia’s desire to support Iran in the aftermath of Rouhani’s announcement. The battle lines are being drawn.

All this said, we must consider that Khamenei’s comments are not solely focused on Rouhani’s announcement. Concerns over Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps plotting against U.S. military forces in the Strait of Hormuz are real. The Iranian Navy has been sailing up and down the Strait of Hormuz this week waving the flag.

In short, growing evidence suggests the U.S. must be prepared for violence.