My dear friend, fellow author and contributor to this blog offers his thoughts on the situation with the Iranian regime and I emphasis Neil’s first point on the importance of understanding the doctrine of the Hidden 12th Imam, or Mahdi as the ‘messiah’ of Shiite theology, as in postings over the past 16 years.

CURRENT MIDDLE-EAST GEOPOLITICAL POINTS –  23rd February 2026

1. Fundamentalist/apocalyptic Shi’a Muslim Ideology appears not to be understood by US negotiators (and others – see brief comment on Shi’a ideology below).

2.  Trump’s red lines have been crossed, without consequence: e.g., Iranian security forces killing Iranian protestors; Hamas retaining weapons and control in Gaza.

3. Trump’s new focus appears to be to achieve a deal to remove Iran’s Uranium enrichment capability. If successful, a deal would probably (?) leave the Ayatollah’s evil regime in place.

4. Point 3 begs what I call the Ezekiel question. God makes it clear, in chapter 38, that in the last days a very large army, led by Magog (Russia) and supported by Persia (Iran), Cush (Sudan), Put (Libya), and Gomer (Turkey) will come against Israel for the final Battle, at Armageddon. If that is on the near horizon, it seems likely that the Ayatollah will not be overthrown. In other words, praying for regime change could be praying against the fulfilment of God’s prophetic plan!

5. Netanyahu needs US weapons, ammunition and support. He cannot afford to jeopardise his relationship with President Trump, even though the President’s policies may be undermining Israel’s ability to enforce its own “red lines”, which include those above, plus: neutralising Hezbollah, demolition of a further 350 miles of tunnels in Gaza; removal of Iran’s ability to control and fund terrorist groups, removal of Iran’s existing long and mid-range missile capability, and their ability to manufacture more missiles.

6. The Board of Peace – 35 nations signed up so far – some are sworn enemies of Israel, e.g., Turkey, Qatar – some of the nation’s dislike each other intensely – agreement seems unlikely! As an aside, rumour has it that President Trump sees the “Board of Peace” as a possible replacement for the UN. It does seem to me that the UN is possessed by the spirit of antichrist and obsessed with hatred of Israel. However, I doubt that the Board of Peace will replace it!

ON APOCALYPTIC SHIA IDEOLOGY (Know Your Enemy!)

The Shias believed that the supreme leaders of their people, Imams, (no separation between head of state and religion) should be selected from direct descendants of Muhammad (no longer feasible). It is said that the 12^th Imam, also known as the Mahdi, was hidden in a cave to save him from capture. Shias believe there will be a final battle and the Mahdi will return to rescue them from defeat, hence they have no concern about precipitating such a battle, against vastly superior military forces: some see it as a requirement.

Dealing with radical clerics who make political policy decisions based on Shia ideology, is not something the west understands. It’s ultimately about the Shia and Iranian worldview: misleading an enemy, fostering complacency, using delaying tactics, appearing to want to negotiate (to allow time to recover strength), are all considered legitimate ploys.

The negotiations are unlikely to yield substantive results. The central goals of the Islamic Republic – the destruction of Israel and of the U.S. – are not going to be discarded by negotiation: they are based on Islamic principles of jihad and the idea that any land once ruled under Islamic law, belongs to Muslims forever. It’s doctrinal, an ideological obligation.

The Iran leadership will never agree to anything that looks like defeat. Iranian negotiators understand the Greek logic western mindset. They appeared to find it easy to hoodwink the Obama and Biden administration representatives: they were predictable.

President Donald Trump, on the other hand, is unpredictable and that has confused the Iranians and proved to be an unexpected negotiating benefit.

Negotiating with a regime driven by ideological conviction and a completely different worldview, one that believes in, “Death to America”, does not make a deal impossible, but it does make it very unlikely. How does anyone negotiate effectively with a regime fervently committed to one’s destruction?

PRAYER POINTS

1. Thank God for the incredible (supernatural) survival of the Jewish identity over many centuries of dispersion and persecution. Thank God for the miraculous reestablishment of the Nation of Israel. Thank God for the blessing of a green and fertile land, a booming economy, an amazing military capability and a technical skills and innovation base that is at the forefront of world IT development.

2. Pray that those who negotiate with the Iranian regime will have wisdom and insight. Pray negotiators will take seriously the Ayatollah’s oft and clearly expressed intention to destroy Israel (and the USA). Pray that the well documented history of continual deceit, broken promises and deception is not naïvely ignored, in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution.

3. Pray that, if an agreement is reached, it includes a very robust, transparent and enforceable verification process.

4. Pray for Holy Spirit guidance on how to pray correctly into the fulfilment of prophecy, particularly in respect of the Ezekiel 38, 39 prophecies.

5. Pray for Netanyahu’s wisdom, patience, perseverance, opportunity and ability to achieve Israel’s military and political objectives.

6. Pray for a workable, effective and constructive peace plan for Gaza, which provides confidence and security for Israel and an encouraging future for the people of Gaza. (Golda Mier once said: peace will only be achieved when the Arabs love their children more than they hate the Jews). Pray for the teaching of Jew hatred to Palestinian children to stop.

USEFUL SOURCES: (RB)

• Koenig Word Watch Daily
• Amir Tsarfati (Behold Israel) Telegram: @ 17:20 Senior Iranian official to Al Jazeera: “We categorically reject the dismantling of the nuclear facilities, zero enrichment, the transfer of uranium, or any discussion of the ballistic missiles.”