By Hal Lindsey
Iran is close to producing a nuclear weapon. Experts vary in their opinions of how soon that may happen, but any time is too soon. Of course, Iran must also be able to produce a miniaturized version for mounting on a missile, but we know they're quite advanced in their missile technology.
Iran's leaders have warned the world quite clearly about what they plan to do when they finally achieve nuclear capability: wipe Israel from the map. Plan B is to use their new weapons to launch an EMP attack on America or Israel or Europe. In fact, they've been practicing for precisely this.
Several European nations are within range of Iran's missiles and have expressed concern over the latest developments. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab/Muslim nations also fear Iran's nuclear ambitions - perhaps more than Israel because they don't have Israel's sophisticated defenses.
In fact, it seems that the United States and Russia are the two nations that don't seem so concerned about Iran's nuclear pursuit anymore.
The problem is that if Iran achieves nuclear weapons capability, it instantly becomes the leader of the Muslim world. It will be the 'big dog' on the block known as the Middle East. What it says -- or what its proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, or al-Qaeda say -- will be what goes, because then it will have the muscle to back it up. And it's probably safe to say that no one (except Hugo Chavez) wants to see that happen! (I know that Pakistan, a Muslim nation, already has nukes, but it has never been as aggressive in its political or jihadist ambitions as Iran.)
Also, remember that Iran's newly "re-elected" Mahmoud Ahmadinejad believes he's the one chosen by Allah to start the conflagration that will usher in the return of Islam's messiah, the Mahdi. Saudi Arabia and Egypt, especially, want nothing to do with that!
So the problem is this. Chances are if Iran gets nukes, then Israel will get nuked. America and/or Europe may also be EMP-attacked. That would elicit a nuclear response by Israel and/or America and/or Europe. That means that Iran would be completely annihilated.
However, the Bible prophets say that Israel and Iran will both be intact in the run-up to Armageddon. That means that something must prevent Iran from launching a nuclear attack against Israel which would then cause Israel to wipe Iran from the map.
So, the way I see it, one of two things will happen soon.
One: Israel will launch a preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities to decimate or delay its nuclear program. This is not so far-fetched. Just this week, Vice President Joe Biden said that America can't dictate to Israel what it can or cannot do. After all, Israel is a sovereign nation (wink)! Also, Saudi Arabia has apparently indicated that it won't be concerned if the Israeli Air Force just happens to stray into its airspace (on its way to Iran?). Further, Egypt recently allowed an Israeli submarine with nuclear cruise missiles to pass through the Suez Canal (on its way to Iran?).
Two: The revolt that is quietly gaining strength in Iran over the obviously rigged re-election of Ahmadinejad will cause the current regime to fall. This is not so far-fetched, either. This week, the most prestigious group of Muslim clerics in Iran declared that the election was not valid. This amounts to an open mutiny against Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei and the Guardian Council.
Either way, I believe Iran's nuclear ambitions will be thwarted for a while, allowing them to survive a bit longer. This may also be why Iran needs Russia's cover to finally launch its attack on Israel.
Related News
Four weeks on, Iran vote protests diminished but not over - AFP
Israel: Iran Will Be Destroyed if It Launches Nuclear Attack - Voice of America
Violent clashes mark renewed protests in Iran - Philadelphia Inquirer
Israel Orders U.S. Stealth Planes to Counter Iran, Syria Threat - Turkish Weekly
Preparations for Attack on Iran Almost Complete - Global Politician