Thousands of Iranian military targets have been struck by U.S. forces to neutralize threats posed by the Iranian regime now and into the future. pic.twitter.com/dE4VNxjjW1
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 16, 2026
Another one of Iran’s leaders has reportedly been killed by a strike from Israel:
Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani killed in overnight strike, Israel say
March 17, 2026
- Israel’s defense minister said Tuesday that the Israeli military killed top Iranian security official Ali Larijani in an overnight strike. The Israeli military also announced it killed Gholam Reza Soleimani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force.
- The UAE shut down its airspace early Tuesday as its military reported it was “responding to missile and drone threats from Iran.” The closure was soon lifted, and not long after the sounds of explosions could be heard as the military worked to intercept incoming fire.
I have called the elimination of Iranian government leaders, partial neutralization (see Iran lost many top leaders: Let’s call that a partial neutralization).
The USA’s goal is military neutralization as is Israel’s (see Trump, Israel, Guttenberg, PCG, and COGwriter views on Iran).
That is something that the Gulf Nations are now calling for:
Gulf states push U.S. to neutralize Iran threat – report
March 17, 2026
Several Gulf Arab states are urging the U.S. to neutralize the threat posed by Iran on their territory and oil economies, Reuters reported, citing three sources in the region.
These sources, as well as Western and Arab diplomats, added that the U.S. is pressing Gulf Arab states to join its war on Iran to bolster its international legitimacy. …
Gulf leaders now want President Donald Trump to degrade Iran’s military capacity, a source said, adding that Tehran would continue to hold the region to ransom unless it is severely weakened. https://seekingalpha.com/news/4565062-gulf-states-push-us-to-neutralize-iran-threat
Gulf states press US to neutralise Iran for good as Hormuz crisis deepens
DUBAI, March 16 (Reuters) – Gulf Arab states did not ask the U.S. to go to war with Iran, but many are now urging it not to stop short by leaving the Islamic Republic still able to threaten the Gulf’s oil lifeline and the economies that depend on it, three Gulf sources told Reuters. At the same time, these sources and five Western and Arab diplomats said Washington was pressing Gulf states to join the U.S.-Israeli war. According to three of them, President Donald Trump wants to show regional backing for the campaign, to bolster its international legitimacy as well as support at home.
“There is a wide feeling across the Gulf that Iran has crossed every red line with every Gulf country,” said Abdulaziz Sager, chairman of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center and familiar with government thinking.
“At first we defended them and opposed the war,” he said. “But once they began directing strikes at us, they became an enemy. There is no other way to classify them.”
IRAN ATTACKS THE SIX GULF STATES
Tehran has already demonstrated its reach, attacking airports, ports, oil facilities and commercial hubs in the six Gulf states with missiles and drones while disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz – the artery carrying about a fifth of global oil and underpinning Gulf economies. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gulf-states-press-us-neutralise-iran-good-hormuz-crisis-deepens-2026-03-16/
Since 2007, I warned that Iran would somehow be neutralized.
I believe that Iran will be somewhat neutralized at some point in time as I differ from PCG on Iran and the king of the South. (COG News: Emphasizing News of Interest to those Once in the Worldwide Church of God. April 7, 2007. https://cogwriter.com/1103news.htm)
And repeated that over the years since that Iran cannot be the final King of the South that it may be neutralized (see Thiel. B. Iran Slams Russia. COGwriter, May 26, 2010).
Yet, a critic of my sermon, 21st Century Prophets (and Prophetesses), posted the following at the Banned by HWA website:
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
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.
- That Iran would be somehow neutralized.
The loss of its Supreme leader and many of its top military and political leaders is a partial neutralization.
The goal of Israel, the USA, and many Gulf States is that Iran would be somewhat neutralized.
Neutralization does not mean that Iran will be eliminated. But basically that it 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.
As Jesus said:
37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch! (Mark 13:37)
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.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? Two videos of related interest are: The Future King of the South is Rising and The Rise and Fall of the King of the South. Here is a version the Spanish language: ¿Esta Surgiendo el Rey Del Sur?
Why Be Concerned About False and Heretical Leaders? There have been many false leaders–here is some of why you should be concerned about them. Here is a related article in the Spanish language ¿Por qué estar preocupado acerca de falsos y heréticos líderes?
21st Century False Prophets There have been many false prophets to rise up from various churches. This article denounces and calls several out by name. Here is a link to a related sermon: 21st Century False Prophets.
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).
26 items to prophetically watch in 2026 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 26 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon: 26 Items to Watch in 2026.
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.