Blue- Locations struck by USA & Israel
Red- Locations struck by Iran & its allies
(Wikipedia–accessed April 8, 2026)
Both the USA and Iran are claiming victory:
Hegseth declares ‘decisive military victory’ over Iran
April 8, 2026
War Secretary Pete Hegseth declared a “decisive military victory” in Iran on Wednesday after President Donald Trump agreed to a two-week truce.
Hegseth made the comments during a press conference at the Pentagon, telling reporters that the War Department had succeeded in decimating Iran’s military capabilities.
“This morning, a big day for world peace. Iran wants it to happen. They’ve had enough. Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield. A capital V,” Hegseth said. …
“We utilized just a fraction of our strength, and Iran suffered a devastating military defeat. Together with our Israeli partners. America’s military achieved every single objective on plan, on schedule, exactly as laid out from day one,” he said. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hegseth-declares-decisive-military-victory-iran
April 8, 2026
Iran sees this as Victory
The United States and Iran have announced a two-week suspension of all attacks, and Tehran reportedly agreed to allow safe transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. It all started with President Trump seizing on the last-minute olive branch plan offered by Pakistan’s prime minister, which urged a two week extension of the US deadline before massive obliteration bombings began, and in return Iran would agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has essentially declared victory and stated that upcoming talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday do not guarantee an end to the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given supportive lip service to the US decision but stated that Lebanon is excluded from the two-week ceasefire. …
Iran meanwhile is demanding stiff fees for ships passing through Hormuz during the ceasefire, and says it holds the final authority on which vessels get to pass. So now, in essense… stability in global energy flows depends on accommodating Iran AND it will likely get sanctions relief, per the deal on the table. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/watch-live-hegseth-declares-victory-fragile-iran-ceasefire-hailed-internationally
8 April 2026
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says “we have a real chance at peace” after a conditional two-week ceasefire is agreed with Iran. … a chance at “real peace and a real deal,” https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yw4g3z7qgt
Before going further, it should be mentioned that many in Israel are not pleased with the ceasefire:
Israel’s political forces are not happy with US-Iran ceasefire deal …
8 April 2026
In a rare moment of consensus, Israel’s political forces agree in their criticism of the US-Iran two-week ceasefire. And while the centre-left politicians are unhappy with PM Netanyahu, the conservatives are criticising Trump.
Hours after the two-week truce between the US and Iran was announced on Tuesday night, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a brief statement, saying “Israel supports Donald Trump’s decision to suspend strikes against Iran for two weeks.” …
But inside Israel and the country’s political spectrum, the reaction has been far from supportive.
The leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid harshly criticised Netanyahu, accusing him of failing to secure Israel’s demands as part of the ceasefire.
“There has never been such a diplomatic disaster in all our history,” he said in a post on X, stating that “Israel wasn’t even at the table when decisions were made concerning the core of our national security.” …
Yair Golan, head of the centre-left The Democrats party, accused Netanyahu of lying on X.
“Netanyahu lied. He promised a ‘historic victory’ and security for generations, and in practice, we got one of the gravest strategic failures Israel has known,” Golan said. https://www.euronews.com/2026/04/08/israels-political-forces-are-not-happy-with-us-iran-ceasefire-deal-here-is-why
So, various leaders in Israel are not thrilled with the ceasefire deal.
Iran claims victory because it has withstood USA and Israeli bombings. It is hoping to ride this out so it can again arise and attack. This is something Isaiah 22:6-9 points to it doing.
Israel is not pleased because Iran is still around as a threat. And according to the prophecies in Isaiah 22, an Iranian confederation will one day cause great damage to the ‘city of David’ (Jerusalem). And let me add that the leadership of Iran does wish to conquer Israel and takeover Jerusalem (they even put out a video about this over a decade ago).
Despite hopes of Pete Hegseth, there is no chance of real peace in this age–though temporal peace will come to the region per Daniel 9:26-27.
The United States claims victory because it has essentially neutralized Iran’s ability to militarily lead the Islamic world.
But neutralization does not mean elimination.
As regular and long time readers of this COGwriter Church of God News page are aware, I specifically predicted back in 2007 (and many times since) that Iran would be somewhat neutralized prior to the rise of the final King of the South of Daniel 11.
Related to that, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following Bible News Prophecy video on our Bible News Prophecy:
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.
Let me add that in the past few weeks the idea of a Muslim military confederation, with the peoples that the Bible shows will support the King of the South, has been pushed by several leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (see Arab NATO talk emerges again as Iran sends drones and missiles against its neighbors and Arab League appoints new leader as discussions that could lead to a Muslim confederation occur–prelude to the King of the South?).
World events continue to align with properly understood biblical prophecies.
Remember to “Watch” events as Jesus commanded (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?
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.