Iran strikes ‘likely’ as Trump seeks maximum leverage https://t.co/8YUABZUmvS
— FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) February 20, 2026
Donald Trump issued another threat against Iran:
Trump warns of ‘bad things’ if Iran does not reach a deal with US
20 February 2026
Trump has warned Tehran it has days to reach a deal on its nuclear programme as the US continues massing forces, Iran drills with Russia, and Europe fears an imminent regional war.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he believes 10 to 15 days is “enough time” for Iran to reach a deal, as Washington seeks Tehran to pledge an end to its nuclear programme.
Trump’s latest threat comes as the second US aircraft carrier, its largest, nears the region amid a massive military buildup of US forces in the region.
“It’s proven to be, over the years, not easy to make a meaningful deal with Iran, and we have to make a meaningful deal. Otherwise, bad things happen,” Trump said Thursday.
According to the New York-based Soufan Center think tank, “This week, another 50 US combat aircraft — F-35s,F-22s, and F-16s — were ordered to the region, supplementing the hundreds deployed to bases in the Arab Gulf states”.
“The deployments reinforce Trump’s threat — restated on a nearly daily basis — to proceed with a major air and missile campaign on the regime if talks fail.”
Meanwhile, Iran on Thursday held annual military drills with Russia in a move that signalled Tehran would fight back if talks on its nuclear programme fizzle out. https://www.euronews.com/2026/02/20/trump-warns-of-bad-things-if-iran-doesnt-make-a-deal-as-us-ramps-up-military-presence
With Shaky Reasoning, Trump Weighs Limited Initial Strike On Iran To Force A Deal
February 20, 2026
Having amassed the heaviest US air power in the Middle East since the disastrous 2003 Iraq invasion, President Trump is now considering an initial, limited strike on Iran to force it to bow to the maximalist demands of Israel and the United States. The idea is based on two deeply questionable premises:
- that air strikes alone will compel Iran to give up its defensive ballistic missile capabilities, and halt all nuclear enrichment
- that Iran won’t retaliate for an American “limited strike” in a way that sends the United States, Israel, Iran and perhaps even Russia and China racing up an escalation ladder
Reported by the Wall Street Journal, the single-strike scenario is an alternative to the idea of a sustained, weeks-long military campaign that would not only target nuclear sites, but also state and security facilities. The Pentagon has been actively planning for such an onslaught, and one official told Reuters that the administration fully expects such a campaign would trigger Iranian retaliation and a series of strikes and reprisals that last far longer than last summer’s 12-day war that was initiated by Israel. …
However, the era of Iranian strategic restraint may be over. “Unlike the restraint Iran showed in June 2025, our powerful armed forces have no qualms about firing back with everything we have if we come under renewed attack,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in January.
Elsewhere, Iran has said that, “in the event that it is subjected to military aggression, all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile force in the region would constitute legitimate targets.” More pointedly, Ayatollah Khamenei has conjured imagery of US sailors being condemned to a watery grave by Trump’s initiation of war:
The Americans constantly say that they’ve sent a warship toward Iran. Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) February 17, 2026
Iran is concerned about Donald Trump and his threats.
Regarding Iran, Donald Trump, and prophecy, the following is from my free eBook titled Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies:
Iran and Prophecy
Prior to his first election, Donald Trump stated that he wants to eliminate or at least change the “nuclear deal” with Iran. [i]
And that he did.[ii]
However, the Biden-Harris Administration tried to revive it, though never fully did. However, the Biden-Harris Administration did release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets back to Iran[iii] as well as it, apparently intentionally, did not enforce sanctions which allowed Iran to nearly triple its oil revenues 3 years after Donald Trump left office.[iv]
In the June 27, 2024 debate with Joe Biden, Donald Trump then blamed the Biden-Harris Administration for assisting in Iran’s ability to provide more funding to proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.[v] It is believed that Donald Trump will likely use some type of “maximum pressure” strategy again against Iran during his next Administration.[vi]
Because Bible prophecy indicates that it will be primarily Arabic nations that support the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:1-8), though with some support (probably temporary per Daniel 11:25-26) from Turkey (and possibly Pakistan), it is not biblically possible that Iran can truly be the leader of the Islamic world as it seems to want to be. Also, because it is basically due east of Jerusalem, Iran should not be considered to be a candidate to be the final ‘King of the South’ of biblical prophecy.
Despite its posturing and relative military strength, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24). This could perhaps be from an attack involving Israel and/or internal civil unrest — this could also include electromagnetic (EMP) or similar weapons used against Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39).
It is of prophetic interest to note that the small nation of Israel is prophesied to one day be attacked by some that seem to have a connection to Iran (Isaiah 22:1-14).
Iran may decide to strike out against Israel, and possibly Jerusalem (cf. Isaiah 22:7-8) if a Trump Administration and/or Israel takes actions it does not like.
Iran has weapons that can cause damage. Furthermore, the USA itself (as well as is the State of Israel) is vulnerable to EMP type attacks and items such as biological weapons, chemical weapons, terrorism, nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, etc. because of a conflict involving Iran, Syria, and/or others.
But should this occur, this would NOT be the final destruction of the USA. Prophetically, Iran would not end up faring well (cf. Ezekiel 32:24-25).
[i] Wilkinson T. Trump’s plans to scuttle or amend the Iran nuclear deal remain a work in progress. Los Angeles Times, November 14, 2016
[ii] Trump DJ. President Donald J. Trump is Ending United States Participation in an Unacceptable Iran Deal. White House Fact Sheet, May 8, 2018
[iii] Knickmeyer E, et al. Americans released by Iran arrive home, tearfully embrace their loved ones and declare: ‘Freedom!’ Associated Press, September 19, 2023
[iv] Steil B. Biden is Giving Up Powerful U.S. Financial Sanctions on Iran | Opinion. Newsweek, August 13, 2021; Cohen A. Joe Biden’s Iran Oil Sanctions Failure. National Interest, November 2, 2024
[v] READ: Biden-Trump debate transcript. CNN, June 28, 2024
[vi] What is Trump’s ‘maximum pressure policy’ that could drive up costs for China’s Iranian oil imports? Times of India, November 6, 2024; Strobel WP, et al. Trump to Renew ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign Against Iran. Wall Street Journal, November 8, 2024
Last year, Iran declared it would not bow to Donald Trump’s maximum pressure tactics.
What might Iran do?
Before looking at scripture, notice two reports;
How Iran could try to defend itself if the US attacks
20 February 2026
Iran is staging military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, signaling readiness as tensions with the US rise. Its ballistic missiles could target regional US bases or Israel, while proxy groups — though weakened — still pose risks, especially Yemen’s Houthis. Iran also has cyber tools capable of hitting infrastructure. With multiple options, any US attack carries significant escalation risks. https://www.dw.com/en/how-iran-could-try-to-defend-itself-if-the-us-attacks/video-76052817
How Iran Plans To Strike Back Is The Part Of The Equation That People Should Be Focusing On
In order to understand what those running Iran intend to do, it is important to put yourself in their shoes. If someone was planning to kill you, how far would you go to save your own life? For many people, there isn’t anything that would be off the table in such a scenario. When it is a matter of life or death, what really matters to you becomes very clear. For the nuts that are in control of Iran, survival is everything. They have already shown that they will gun down tens of thousands of their own citizens in order to ensure the survival of the regime. Now a major U.S. military operation is looming, and the Iranians fully understand that the coming conflict is for all the marbles. When the missiles start flying, there is nothing that they won’t be willing to do to protect themselves. …the Iranians just sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warning that all bases, facilities and military assets of the enemy will be legitimate targets if war breaks out…
Iran told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday that Tehran will consider bases, facilities, and assets of the “hostile force” in the region as legitimate targets if it faces military aggression.
US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric towards Iran “signals a real risk of military aggression,” Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations said in the letter, adding that Iran did not want a war.
In particular, the Iranians have been talking a lot about potentially sinking a U.S. aircraft carrier. …
Once the shooting begins, I believe that the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford will be primary targets. …
In addition to hitting U.S. targets, the Iranians have also repeatedly threatened to strike Israeli cities.
We saw what older Iranian ballistic missiles could do during the 12 Day War, and now Iran is feverishly producing a brand new generation of ballistic missiles that will be exceedingly difficult to intercept. …
If one of those missiles carrying a 1,500-kilogram conventional warhead comes slamming down in a major Israeli city, it will do a tremendous amount of damage.
But what if it was carrying something else instead?
We have been warned that Iran has been working on chemical and biological warheads for their ballistic missiles. …
Is this why the Iranians are now so confident in their ability to strike back?
Apparently Iranian leaders are convinced that “the use of unconventional weapons can be justified in situations of existential threat”…
The Iranians know that Trump and Netanyahu want regime change.
So once fighting breaks out, what would motivate them to hold anything back?
In addition to chemical and biological weapons, there is also the possibility that the Iranians may possess dirty bombs.
Of course if any sort of an unconventional weapon is launched toward Israel, the Israelis would immediately escalate the conflict all the way up the ladder.
There are so many ways that a war with Iran could spiral completely out of control. https://endoftheamericandream.com/how-iran-plans-to-strike-back-is-the-part-of-the-equation-that-people-should-be-focusing-on/
Before getting to some possibly related prophecies, as I have written for years, Iran has conventional weapons, the ability to use dirty bombs, chemical weapons, biological weapons, EMP capability, and cyber attacks abilities. Plus, it has allies like Hezbollah, and cells in different parts of the world to create terrorism. So, yes, the USA, Israel, and others could be harmed by Iran.
Related to Iran, its allies, and Israel, the Bible has the following:
1 The burden against the Valley of Vision.
What ails you now, that you have all gone up to the housetops, 2 You who are full of noise, A tumultuous city, a joyous city? Your slain men are not slain with the sword, Nor dead in battle. 3 All your rulers have fled together; They are captured by the archers. All who are found in you are bound together; They have fled from afar. 4 Therefore I said, “Look away from me, I will weep bitterly; Do not labor to comfort me Because of the plundering of the daughter of my people.”
5 For it is a day of trouble and treading down and perplexity By the Lord God of hosts In the Valley of Vision — Breaking down the walls And of crying to the mountain. 6 Elam bore the quiver With chariots of men and horsemen, And Kir uncovered the shield. 7 It shall come to pass that your choicest valleys Shall be full of chariots, And the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
8 He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armor of the House of the Forest; 9 You also saw the damage to the city of David, That it was great; And you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. 10 You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, And the houses you broke down To fortify the wall. 11 You also made a reservoir between the two walls For the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, Nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago.
12 And in that day the Lord God of hosts Called for weeping and for mourning, For baldness and for girding with sackcloth. 13 But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
14 Then it was revealed in my hearing by the Lord of hosts, ”Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, Even to your death,” says the Lord God of hosts. (Isaiah 22:1-14 NKJV)
Elam seems to be a reference to at least some in Iran. The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:
Iranians comprise nearly 70 percent of the country. Iranians, though Islamic, are totally distinct from the neighboring Arab peoples of the Middle East. They are a mixed people of the remnants of Media and Elam and other ancestors of Semitic and Hamitic stock. (Stump K. South Asia in Prophecy. Plain Truth, July/August 1986, p. 5)
Kir is of interest as it has several possibilities. One is that the Bible tells that after Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria took over Damascus, he moved Syrians to Kir. While this does not mean that Kir must (or must only) be a reference to Syria, the fact that some in Syria are allies of Iran is interesting. Some believe Kir is an area in the south of Iran, while others suggest closer to the Black Sea. God’s word has the expression “the Syrians from Kir” (Amos 9:7), which is basically confirmation that Kir of Isaiah 22 would include Syrians. The Bible also tells of a time when Kir will be destroyed (Isaiah 15:1b) and also says that Syria’s capital Damascus will be destroyed (Isaiah 17:1).
In Isaiah 22: 8, “Judah” is a reference to those in the land commonly called Israel–God will allow Israel to be attacked! In Isaiah 22:9, consider that “the damage to the city of David” is a reference to at least part of Jerusalem–and notice that the damage will be great.
The point I wish to make is that Isaiah 22 shows, presuming that it has a future application, that a time is coming when God will take away the protection of Judah and the City of David (Jerusalem, cf. 2 Kings 9:28).
It also allows for the fact that Iran and its allies could strike back and cause great damage. And, Iran might do this in two stages. One might be immediate retaliation, and the other might come later when it does not think Israel will be ready.
The Iran-Israel situation is something to watch (Mark 13:37).
A while back, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to Iran and Israel:
Iran and Israel Conflict
European Union foreign policy chief, Josep Borrel, has been brokering the nuclear negotiations involving Iran and said that he thinks the deal is “in danger.” Iran blames the United States, whereas the USA says they are not delaying it. Israeli sources stated that Israel will stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Joe Biden says the USA would use its own military power to prevent Iran from getting such a bomb if need be. In 2021, Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill seeking the government by law to commit to Israel’s destruction by the year 2040. Does the 22nd chapter of Isaiah point to damage coming to Israel from Iran and possibly Syria? Might Iran be concerned enough about limited progress with the USA to launch some type of attack? Is Iran the prophesied ‘King of the South’? Is it reasonable to think that the prophesied peace deal of Daniel 9:27 will not happen until after a military conflict. like a regional war? Should Christians watch the Middle East? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie discuss these matters.
Here is a link to our video: Iran and Israel Conflict.
We are in a time of wars and rumors of wars as Jesus foretold (Matthew 24:4-8).
Iran is not pleased with Donald Trump and may choose to militarily respond very soon.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here are links to two related videos Iran In Prophecy and Iran and Israel Conflict.
Jerusalem: Past, Present, and Future What does the Bible say about Jerusalem and its future? Is Jerusalem going to be divided and eliminated? Is Jesus returning to the area of Jerusalem? There are also two related YouTube videos you can watch: Jerusalem To be divided and eliminated and God’s and Satan’s Plan for Jerusalem.
Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.