Two-thirds of National Journal's National Security Insiders Believe Israel Will Attack Iran

Iran figures prominently in Bible prophecy because they are the direct descendants of the Persians, who are mentioned in Ezekiel 38 as key allies of Magog, a powerful nation in the North that many prophecy scholars have tentatively identified as Russia. Together with other nations, these allies will engage in a future war against Israel. [See The Church Will Be 'Raptured' at Armageddon]

Insiders: Israel Will Attack Iran

October 9, 2012

National Journal - Two-thirds of National Journal's National Security Insiders believe Israel will attack Iran to try to derail its nuclear program, but they are divided over whether military action would take place in the coming months or at a later date.

Speculation abounds over whether the Jewish state may strike, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently called upon the United Nations General Assembly to draw a clear "red line" to stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. While President Obama has insisted that no option is off the table to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, the administration has so far advocated for a strategy of tougher sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

"If the U.S. strategy in 2013 does not produce noticeable changes in Iran's behavior," one Insider said, "then either Israel will convince the U.S. to strike (their preferred option) or they will go it alone (and the U.S. will share in the consequences)."

Other Insiders believed an Israeli attack is imminent.

"The drums of war are beating louder and louder, and the Israelis are concerned they are running out of time to mount an effective attack on the Iranian nuclear program," one Insider said. "The Israelis have lost the element of surprise but believe their nation's existence is threatened by the Iranian program, thus making it likely they will strike Iran in the coming months."

Israel will strike soon, because time is not on its side, another Insider said.

"Those who think a nuclear Iran can be deterred don't live in Jerusalem."

One-third of Insiders did not think Israel would attack Iran.

"With the help of his U.S. supporters, Netanyahu's strategy all along has been to try [to] bully the Obama administration into waging war against Iran on Israel's behalf," one Insider said. "Fortunately, Obama resisted the pressure, leaving Israel with the prospect of confronting Iran alone. As a result, Netanyahu, despite all of his saber-rattling and chest-beating, will back down, preferring a war of hot air to one of hot lead."

The political window for an attack is before the U.S. presidential elections, one Insider said.

"Netanyahu doesn't have a political consensus at home in favor of an attack, so he is unlikely to follow through during what remains of that window."

Another Insider said such a strike was unlikely because many Israeli military leaders oppose it, and it could be effective only if complemented by a U.S. strike or substantial American intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

"A strike against Iran would undermine broader U.S. interests by embittering many Arabs and some Iranians,” the Insider said. "The best Western strategy is to back political opponents in Iran and pursue regime change. Even if it were ever possible, it is too late now to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."

Related:

• The Chronological Order of the Book of Revelation
• Armageddon and the Rapture of the Church
• Gog and Magog
• Anti-Christian Beast is the One-world Power
• Satan's Final Deception Before Christ Returns
• The End of the World and the Final Seven Years 
• The Return of Christ in the Clouds of Heaven