Latest incidents suggest Putin might have orchestrated the Iran missile attack on a newly constructed US embassy in Erbil.
The use of a dozen big ballistic missiles by Iran to attack Erbil is a significant escalation. The rockets are aimed against strategic locations, such as a new US Consulate under construction. They send a warning that Iran is capable of far more destruction.
If Iran had decided to, it could have attacked airport runways or civilian areas more aggressively. Iran was clearly conveying a statement of might rather than wreaking absolute mayhem.
The failure of Iran talks could be linked to Iran’s message. Russia has tried to exploit the Iran talks to get further concessions from the US on sanctions against it. This has enraged Iran, which wants sanctions lifted but is now being sidetracked by Russia at the last minute.
Iran, on the other hand, is looking to Russia for guidance on how to engage with the West. Iran is learning that Russia has used an invasion to demonstrate that warmongering and attacks are tolerated internationally.
This attack against Erbil isn’t the first time Iran has launched a large-scale ballistic missile. It also targeted Kurdish dissidents in Koya, Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, in 2018. It also fired ballistic missiles at a US facility at Ain al-Asad air base in 2020 in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s IRGC leader Qasem Soleimani by the US.
This suggests that the usage of these missiles is neither new nor unusual. Iran has targeted Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones, and it has also given missile technology to the Houthis in Yemen for use against the Saudis.
So, what’s new with the attack on March 13, 2022? The sheer number of missiles and their substantial payload were most likely a practise run for greater attacks. With these missiles, Iran aims to show off its precision and capabilities. Tehran is also interested in seeing how the US will respond.
Many voices in the United States are joining the chorus of those who oppose American aggression in Ukraine and do not seek “war” with Iran or Russia. Russia has also used these voices in order to destroy Ukraine with impunity.
Even though there is little indication that Russia can afford conflict with the West, Russia relies on the West’s fear of war – particularly the notion that any confrontation with Russia will result in “World War III.” So, much as Iran sold the “Iran deal or war” storey in 2015, Russia sells the “war, war” narrative.
In summary, Iran relies on the United States’ fear of “war” and voices in the United States criticising America first.
Iran intends to turn Iraq into a “near abroad,” engulfing Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen in the process.
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“The Bible gives uncannily accurate descriptions of both regional and global nuclear war. As a student of Bible prophecy, I know these things are coming. But in the meantime, we should heed the words of our Lord when He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Remember Romans 12:18: “So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” That does not mean “peace at all costs,” but it should give us an impetus to find ways to make peace where we reasonably can.
1 Timothy 2:2 instructs us to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” So, consider this a prayer request—an urgent and vital prayer request.”
—Hal Lindsey
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