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The US hit targets in Iran yesterday and claimed self-defense. The Iranian government and military are not pleased:
Iran accuses US of violating the ceasefire with recent strikes
26 My 2026
Iran’s foreign ministry says in a statement that the United States has violated the ceasefire with strikes in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province.
The US military has carried out strikes in southern Iran against targets including boats attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites, in what it described as defensive actions. Iranian media reported early this morning that sounds of explosions were heard in Bandar Abbas in the province.
“The United States committed a gross violation of the ceasefire in the Hormozgan region in the past 48 hours… Iran holds the US regime responsible for all the consequences resulting from these aggressive and unjustified actions,” the statement says. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-accuses-us-of-violating-the-ceasefire-with-recent-strikes/
Iran Decries US ‘Ceasefire Violation’ After Overnight Port Raid, Insists On $12BN Fund Release To Advance Talks
May 26, 2026
While diplomats in Washington and Tehran exchange heavily caveated peace drafts and attempt a breakthrough, the actual conflict theater of the Persian Gulf is telling an entirely different story. The fragile reality of the current ceasefire is on full display, given that after late Monday’s US-Israeli action against Iranian vessels at Bandar Abbas port, the IRGC says it opened fire on a US F-35 fighter jet and multiple unmanned aerial vehicles after they allegedly breached Iranian airspace. As part of the engagement, Iran says that it shot down a US MQ-9 drone (not for the first time of the war). The IRGC claims its air defense units successfully “shot down an MQ-9” Reaper drone during the encounter, while the remaining American “aircraft were forced to flee.”
This followed immediately on the heels of the United States saying carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran overnight against various targets, including boats attempting to lay mines as well as even missile launch sites. “US forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said.
Ceasefire Violation
Tehran has warned that the the ceasefire with the US is in jeopardy, with the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday having condemned the latest US “attacks on vessels as a ceasefire violation”.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemns “multiple instances of maritime piracy against Iranian commercial vessels” by the US in the Hormozgan region over the past 48 hours, according to statement. “Hormozgan is the Iranian province that incorporates Iranian ports and waters on the Strait of Hormuz,” it said according to Bloomberg, citing state media, in reference to the province which has Bandar Abbas as its capital. Iran “will not leave any acts of wickedness unanswered and will not hesitate in the slightest to defend the sovereignty and territory of Iran,” it said. …
Following the engagement, an IRGC military spokesperson issued a blunt warning to Washington against future ceasefire violations, declaring that any new aggression against sovereign territory would be met with a “far more severe” response that would structurally extend “beyond the region.”
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been in hiding, released a fiery written address via his Telegram channel to mark the Islamic Hajj pilgrimage. In the message he put American bases scattered throughout neighboring Gulf nations on notice, declaring that the US will “no longer have a safe haven for mischief and the establishment of military bases in the region.” https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iran-decries-us-ceasefire-violation-after-overnight-port-raid-insists-12bn-fund
May 26, 2026
Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a message on May 26 calling for greater unity across the Muslim world against the United States and Israel, saying that the chants “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” will become the rallying slogans of Muslims and “the oppressed of the world.”
Khamenei’s message was to mark Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage. In it, Khamenei described a historic struggle against U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East, repeatedly invoking the revolutionary slogan “Allahu Akbar” as the “weapon” that had enabled Iran and its allies to resist outside pressure.
He said Iran had succeeded in “making the Zionist regime helpless under its severe blows during the second imposed war” and in delivering “a harsh slap to aggressive America,” while thwarting efforts to force Tehran into submission. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/iranian-leader-calls-muslim-unity-says-death-america-will-become-common-slogan
“Allahu Akbar” is something that Islamic terrorists and suicide bombers have often yelled.
It is not just the Gulf States that are at risk.
If Iran feels it will be advantageous, it will unleash terror. Yes, Iran will support terrorism in the USA.
As I warned back in March:
I expect terrorist incidents in the USA from Iranian and other terrorist cells in the USA.
Why?
Because of various biblical prophecies such as the following:
5 They have corrupted themselves; They are not His children, Because of their blemish: A perverse and crooked generation. … 25 The sword shall destroy outside; There shall be terror within (Deuteronomy 32:5,25)
12 “Cry and wail, son of man; For it will be against My people, Against all the princes of Israel. Terrors including the sword will be against My people; Therefore strike your thigh. (Ezekiel 21:12)
25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. (Proverbs 1:25-27)
5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way (Ecclesiastes 12:5).
6 You have forsaken Me,” says the Lord,
“You have gone backward.
Therefore I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you;
I am weary of relenting!
7 And I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land;
I will bereave them of children;
I will destroy My people,
Since they do not return from their ways.
8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas;
I will bring against them,
Against the mother of the young men,
A plunderer at noonday;
I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly. (Jeremiah 15:6-8)While many political, media, and other leaders refuse to believe the Bible, the reality is that those of us who believe the Bible realize that terrorism is prophesied.
And yes, for the United States of America.
Terrorist cells can cause “terror within.”
Additionally, consider that an Iranian general said that Iran had a secret weapon to defeat the USA and Israel (see Iranian General says ‘secret weapon’ ‘will bring an end to the enemy’s operations’). Well, he may not have been directly referring to terrorist acts or terrorist cells, but they do exist and will cause damage.
As Jesus said:
37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:37)(Thiel B. Marines to the Middle East, Iran Threatens, and then there are Terror Cells. COGwriter, March 29, 2026)
Notice also something posted here back in 2019:
Expect Iran to be involved in more terrorism. But also expect that Iran will be at least neutralized. … Iran is mainly east of Jerusalem … Iran might be a king of the East, but it is not the King of the South. (Thiel B. PCG: Will America and Iran Go to War? COGwriter, July 4, 2019)
Here are more statements:
I have long believed that Iran is a threat that will one day be ‘neutralized,’ as I believe it will overplay its hand. (Thiel B. After second tanker incident, Israel says it is ready to attack. COGwriter, August 5, 2021)
Related to Iran, back in October of 2022, I posted:
As far as Iran itself goes, while it wants to lead all of Islam, it will fail in that objective — the Bible points to an Arabic power doing that in Daniel 11:40-43. Because of that, I have long felt that it may be that Iran would be ‘neutralized’ before the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40) rises up.
Iran could be neutralized by internal unrest or other matters–and there is unrest in Iran. On the other hand, if it employs, or attempts to employ, certain weapons of mass destruction in certain locals, it may well cause Israel, the USA, and/or others to turn on it and destroy aspects of its military capability.
I have long believed that Iran is a threat that will one day be ‘neutralized’ (Jeremiah 49:34-38), as I believe it will overplay its hand. (Thiel B. Iran, Drones, Ukraine, and Israel. COGwriter, October 21, 2022)
In my free 2023 eBook Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America?, I predicted:
Despite its posturing, relative military strength, and ability to damage Israel and others, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24).
Here is something I posted a few weeks before the current war with Iran, along with something in even closer post:
As far as Iran itself goes, it has long wanted to lead all of Islam. It hopes by one day conquering Israel (according to a video it put out over a decade ago), it will get the rest of the Muslims to follow it. However, it will fail to become the leader of Islam– the Bible points to an Arabic power doing that in Daniel 11:40-43. Because of that, I have long felt that it may be that Iran would be ‘neutralized’ before the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40) rises up. (Thiel B. Iran makes retaliatory threats–is Iran overplaying its hand? COGwriter, February 8, 2026)
Despite its posturing and relative military strength, Iran will be somehow effectively neutralized (cf. Ezekiel 32:24). (Thiel B. Donald Trump threatens Iran with a deadline–How might Iran strike back? COGwriter, February 20, 2026)
As Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump have basically confirmed, Iran has been somewhat neutralized (see Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump confirm another COGwriter prediction).
As I wrote before, neutralization does not mean that Iran will be eliminated:
Neutralization does not mean that Iran will be eliminated. But basically we in the CCOG believe that Iran will not be in a strong enough military position to become the King of the South of biblical prophecies such as Daniel 11:40-43. However, Iran may at least partially support such an Islamic leader to a degree. (Thiel B. Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump confirm another COGwriter prediction. COGwriter, March 2026)
Yet, a critic of my sermon, 21st Century Prophets (and Prophetesses), posted the following at the Banned by HWA website on 28 February 2026:
Not one ‘prophet’ from within the Armstrong fold as far as I can see, has predicted the unfolding events in Iran. Latest news is that Ayatollah Khamenei has been eliminated, as have many at the very top of the Islamic regime. Including defence minister. Goodbye king of the south lol. Have family in Ashdod and Jerusalem, so am concerned for their welfare at this time. No one has heard of Dr Bob Thiel in the ME, especially in Israel. Total unknown.Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 1:09:56 PM PST
Something like this may have been unexpected by Gerald Flurry, but not to those of us willing to believe what the Bible actually teaches.
As seemingly typical of critics posting there, poster failed to realize that:
- I have written that Iran would not be the King of the South.
- I seem to have been the first to write that because of that Iran would be somehow neutralized.
- I repeatedly have warned for nearly two decades that Iran would be somewhat neutralized.
- I also continue to write that Iran is not finished with its military moves per Isaiah 22:6-9.
The loss of Iran’s Supreme leader and several of its top military and political leaders was a partial neutralization.
Because of the bombings and other attacks by the USA and Israel, Iran’s military capabilities have been seriously degraded.
Iran will NOT be the King of the South of biblical prophecies.
But, Iran still has a prophetic role and, therefore expect it to cause significant damage to Jerusalem, despite its somewhat neutralized state, per Isaiah 22:6-9.
The Book of Proverbs notes:
16 The lazy man is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)
Many critics think they are wise, but many have not seemed to have been interested enough to take the time to check out the facts to be able to discern the truth over falsehoods.
We in the CCOG have always taught against the idea that Iran would lead the King of the South. Plus we taught that Iran would be somewhat neutralized–this is not something that other COGs or Greco-Roman Catholic or Protestant churches have been teaching.
Additionally, we have denounced certain Protestants who wrongly believe that the current war relates directly to the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38 related to Gog and Magog (watch: Motjaba Khamenei, the Imam Mahdi, and Ezekiel 38).
We also have the following video:
Iran Neutralization Prediction Confirmed
Are current events involving Iran confirming long-standing prophetic interpretations? In this episode of the Bible News Prophecy Program, Steve Dupuie speaks with Bob Thiel about how recent developments in the Middle East align with predictions he has made for nearly two decades. Dr. Thiel explains his long-held position that Iran would not become the prophesied “King of the South” described in the Book of Daniel, and instead would be “somewhat neutralized” before that power rises. He points to recent statements from leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, who claim Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened, as evidence that Iran has been somewhat neutralized. The discussion explores: What “neutralization” of Iran really means? Why Iran is not the final dominant power in biblical prophecy? How a future Middle Eastern confederation may emerge. The role of prophecy in understanding global conflicts. Scriptures from the Book of Ezekiel, Second Epistle of Peter, and Gospel of Mark are also examined to provide context and caution against misinterpretations of current events. As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, this episode challenges viewers to carefully compare headlines with scripture—and to stay alert, as Jesus instructed.
Here is a link to our video: Iran Neutralization Prediction Confirmed.
Now, although we do not see everything clearly (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:12), because we in the Continuing Church of God rely more on scripture than Protestants and others actually do, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV).
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.
Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18? Does any church have the confirmed dream and prophetic signs of Acts 2:17-18? Should one? Here is a link in the Spanish language: ¿Tiene la CCOG confirmadas las señales de Hechos 2: 17-18? Here is a link in the French language: Est-ce que l’Église Continue de Dieu confirme les signes d’Actes 2:17-18? A related sermon in the English language is also available: 17 Last Days’ Signs of the Holy Spirit.
21st Century Church of God Prophets Are there any true prophets in the 21st century? What about false prophets? What are scriptures and fruits to identify the true from the false? Will you prove all things and test the spirits? Here is a link to a relate sermon: 21st Century Prophets (and Prophetesses).
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.