Israel’s complex war with the terrorist regime in Iran 
1 July 2023

Israel is fighting a war that has many fronts. It has been fighting a “shadow war” with Iran for decades. The Islamic revolutionary regime in Iran is deeply hostile to Western (Judeo-Christian) values and interests based on individual freedom and the rule of law. It deliberately uses force, terror and lawfare to achieve its revolutionary goals. Primarily through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), it creates and works with proxies to infiltrate and undermine legitimate governments in many countries - in the Middle East, Europe and beyond. Specifically, Iran has declared its aim to destroy the Jewish State of Israel. 
 
Iran is reportedly very close to achieving nuclear ballistic missile capability. Defence Minister Yoav Galant said this week that Israel and its air force power will force Iran to withdraw from its close fighting with Jerusalem “back thousands of kilometers to its borders”.
 
Iranian operatives threaten the lives of Israelis globally. This week in a sensational announcement it was revealed that the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, recently kidnapped an Iranian terror mastermind from inside the Islamic Republic's territory, who was planning the assassination of an Israeli citizen in Cyprus. 
 
Iran has been supplying drones to Russia, that have been used in Russia’s aggression in Ukraine causing deaths of hundreds. 
 
Unfortunately the regime receives a lot of support in Europe. Despite sanctions, there are strong trade and investment between actors in the EU and Iran. While there are increasing calls by some Parliaments in Europe to have the IRGC designated as a terrorist organization, many governments in Europe are unwilling to confront the Iranian regime; they are even supporting a new kind of agreement with Iran, that Israel bitterly opposes because it fears any agreement will simply give Iran more time and resources to produce nuclear weapons. 
 
The threat to Israel seems to be becoming more and more existential. 
 
We must pray that the enemies of the Jewish people will be destroyed and dispersed. 
 
However, we must also pray for the people of Iran who are oppressed and terrorized by the extreme Islamist regime in Tehran. There are many ethnic groups in modern Iran. So far they have been unable to form a coherent, organized opposition. The people of Persia (modern Iran) have traditionally been very friendly with the Jewish people (a Jewish woman was even once Queen of Persia!). The Bible indicates that God has great plans for the people of Persia, and one day Israel and the people of Persia will live in peace. Let us pray that that day will come soon! 
 

Yonah Jeremy Bob writes at JPost: “The defense minister repeated past statements that “all options are on the table” to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring a nuclear weapon.”

A rejuvenated Iran-Al-Qaeda link poses new security threats 

Yaakov Lappin writes at JNS: “Salafi jihadist organizations like ISIS and Al Qaeda haven't vanished, terrorism experts warn, and continue to try and recruit within Israel itself.”

Dan Shapiro to lead US efforts to integrate Israel regionally
 
JNS reports: The State Department tapped Dan Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, on June 29 to become its new senior adviser for regional integration. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new role on Twitter, stating that Shapiro “will support U.S. efforts to advance a more peaceful and interconnected region, deepen and broaden the Abraham Accords and build the Negev Forum.”