Could Iran utterly destroy Israel in no more than 11 days? According to General Ataollah Salehi, general commander of the Iranian army, the answer is "Yes."
The following are excerpts of statements made by Iranian military commanders from a LBC TV report which aired on May 3, 2009. The 2 minute 15 second news report is available on the MEMRI TV website.
The Iranian generals and reporters make the following statements:
Voiceover: "'Nothing can prevent Iranian missiles from targeting the heart of Israel, if Iran is subjected to a military strike by Israel.' This was the response of the Iranian military commanders to the Israeli statements about a possible military strike against Iran, because of its insistence on obtaining nuclear energy. Yet an [Israeli] attack seems improbable to the Iranians, because Tel Aviv does not have the ability to go through a war with Tehran."
Iranian Chief-of-Staff General Hassan Firouzabadi: "We are fully prepared to confront any attack that would threaten the interests of Iran. We have sufficient means and the necessary force to defend our territory."
General Ataollah Salehi, general commander of the Iranian army: "The truth is that Israel does not have the courage to attack us. If we are subjected to any attack by Israel, I do not think we will need more than 11 days to wipe Israel out of existence."
Voiceover: "Tehran denies that its military preparations are aimed at attacking any neighboring country. Iran justifies its military preparedness as a means to defend Iran and the region, which may alleviate the fears and concerns of countries in the region."
General Yahya Rahim Safavi, Khamenei's chief advisor on military affairs: "Our military capabilities are not meant to threaten the neighboring countries, but only to defend Iran. Iran strives for peace, security, and stability with the countries in the region."
General Reza Pourdastan, commander of the Iranian army ground forces: "The neighboring countries can rest assured that by no means will we attack any country."
Voiceover: "But fears about Iran's missiles remain, especially among Western countries, concerned that Iran might arm its missiles with nuclear warheads, since the superpowers doubt that Iran's nuclear program is peaceful. This is categorically denied by Tehran, which says that according to the shari'a and the law, it is forbidden to obtain a nuclear bomb."
Analysis
Does Israel lack the military might to go to war with Iran? Should the Middle East feel secure with Iran as a neighbor? Could the Iranian military utterly destroy Israel in a mere 11 days?
I can't help it, but my first response is to laugh out loud (LOL!!!). Do the Iranian generals really believe what they are saying, or is it just a bad case of team spirit? Pass out the pom-poms! Does the Iranian press really believe Iran is the loving dove the world enjoys having as a next-door neighbor, or do they know not cranking the wheel of the propaganda machine will lead them to their own mysterious disappearances? Sharpen the scimitar! And, do the Ayatollahs and imams really believe the Koranic law forbids the building of a nuclear weapon, or are they practicing al-takeyya, the Islamic principle of lying for the sake of Allah? Got a ruler for that nose?
With the fall of their leading contender — Iraq — and the cowing of the United Nations and USA over their nuclear ambitions, the Iranian leadership is feeling full of themselves these days. They are funding Hamas, Hizbollah and every other terrorist organization in their underground war with Israel, knowing full well the Palestinians' world-encompassing sympathy will keep their covert battle going without interference. The world is even endorsing the war on Israel with endless UN resolutions and billions of funding going to the terrorist Hamas government of Gaza. With big partners like Russia and China on their side, Iran feels they have some big bouncers in the room to protect them. Iran is very close to having a nuclear weapon and knows the liberal leadership of the world lacks the desire to confront them with more than words and embargoes. And, the world needs Iranian gas, reacting like a drug addict who hates yet loves their pusher at the same time. Iran has a lot to feel empowered by.
But, Iran has deeeeeeeeply underestimated Israel. Israel has the fourth most powerful army in the world. Israel is hardened by six decades of war and self-defense. Iranian scientists look like they only have GED's next to Israel's MIT doctorates. Israel now has massive deposits of natural gas that frees them from any need of foreign energy dependence. And most importantly, Israel has the God of the universe and His promises on its side.
"I will plant them [the Jewish people] in their land, and they will not again be rooted out from their land which I have given them..." - Amos 9:15
"...for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it..." - Psalm 69:35
"He who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." - Psalm 121:4
Prophetic Outcome
Based on Bible prophecy and the unfolding of world events, my best guess is that Israel will have to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat very soon. Iran will saber rattle all they want because they in truth lack the intestinal fortitude to wage a one-on-one war with Israel, preferring to hide behind Palestinian women's burkas. Instead, Iran will wait to be hit first. Iran is in for a surprise, though, because the most effective solution to knocking out not only the Iranian, but also the Syrian, Hamas, Hizbollah and every other hostile Arab threat to Israel will be to destroy the hatchery to all these threats — Damascus. Isaiah 17 prophesies just that event, as Israel destroys the ancient city in just one day, probably with a nuclear weapon.
Once Damascus' destruction has set the Islamic world reeling, I could see that Israel will feel emboldened and go on the offensive. Israel will subdue their hostile Arab neighbors states and subjugate the Palestinian threat, according to Psalm 83. Israel will enjoy a time of peace which Iran will put to good use to regroup and gather a coalition of Muslim nations led by a ruler from the ancient lands once covered by the former Soviet Union, along with Turkey, Sudan and Libya. These nations will together feel strong enough to battle Israel, only to find God waiting on the mountains of Israel to crush them in the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog-Magog Battle. Iran in utter shambles, the future empire of the Antichrist will walk in and claim Iran's land and resources for his own.
No matter what Iran says today, it only has a great series of defeats ahead of it.
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