Amir Tsafati: The Path is Open to Ensure That Tehran Will Toe the Line

Shalom from en route! While “en route” is typically used as an adverb, for me, beginning yesterday and lasting for another few days, it is a noun. I am somewhere between my home, which I left yesterday, and the American state of Idaho, which is my destination. With Ben Gurion airport not reopening until Tuesday night, my travel plans had been in a state of upheaval and, even, doubt. But now, thanks to God’s grace, I am in that glorious state of en route, and I am looking forward to the weeks ahead in the United States and Canada. I’ll fill you in a little more on my speaking engagements in North America below. However, if you want to peek ahead of time, you may do so on our Behold Israel events page.

Last week’s newsletter was a special Israel/Iran War edition, which is why it is so crazy that this issue could so easily be categorized as a special Israel/Iran Ceasefire edition. However, there are a couple additional items beyond the ceasefire that also need to be touched on, so we’ll call this edition “special-ish.” Still, it was a crazy twelve days, and life is still not fully settled down. So, let’s get right into it. But first, let me remind you to subscribe to my Telegram channel to get updated with Middle East news as it happens. Also, I went online Tuesday to give an update on the US/Israel/Iran shooting match, along with a quick Q & A. They are definitely worth checking out.

The Middle East

A Summary of the War
With the United States’ Independence Day coming up next weekend, I’d like to use one of their typical fireworks shows as an illustration of the war between Israel and Iran. There was an opening flurry of fireworks that got the attention of everyone. Then, for the next long period of time, a steady stream of aerial explosions took place, punctuated now and then with multiple blasts designed to draw out the “Ooos” and “Aaahs” of the onlookers. As the show came to a conclusion, the finale wowed the onlookers with both the quantity and quality of fireworks, eliciting applause, cheers, and a great sense of patriotism.

That is what the war felt like from my home in Israel – the primary difference being that we had to watch much of the fireworks show from the bomb shelter attached to our house. The conflict began with a preemptive strike by Israel on Iran’s nuclear sites, anti-aircraft sites, missile launchers, top military brass, numerous politicians, and most major nuclear scientists. As a crippling attention-getter, it doesn’t get much stronger. The world’s eyes were on the two countries, and what they soon realized was that the big Persian bogeyman of the Middle East was mostly just bluster. Quickly, Israel had control over the skies of western Iran and Tehran.

Over the days ahead, the Israeli dominance continued. They were able to fly 1,200 sorties, covering more than one thousand miles each way. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched thousands of munitions, destroying more than 80 anti-aircraft batteries and 250 missile launchers. Using precision weapons that were aimed based on masterful intelligence from in-country Mossad assets, the IAF picked off politicians, military leaders, and scientists, sometimes individually and sometimes in groups. By the way, if you want to see the names of the thirty Iranian generals eliminated by Israel, check out this list.

Iran didn’t just sit there and take it. They immediately responded with one hundred missiles and one hundred UAVs. Most were taken down, but some made it through. Across the entire conflict, 28 civilians and one soldier were killed. The high civilian to military casualty ratio is due to Iran intentionally targeting civilian sites. While the initial Iranian retaliation was strong, the numbers of missiles gradually dwindled as the days went on. This wasn’t due to a lack of munitions. They have thousands of missiles stored up. They just didn’t have the launchers needed to send them due to the IAF’s brilliant targeting of Iran’s offensive capabilities.

Eventually, Israel came to a place in which it had done about all it could to halt Iran’s nuclear program. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. Although all the nuclear sites had been damaged to a great extent, the key weapons centers at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were hidden deep underground out of reach of Israel’s munitions. The only weapons that could reach sites that well protected were Massive Ordnance Penetrators, or “bunker-busters.” These were weapons that Israel did not have. However, we knew a guy.

President Donald Trump had been working on a deal for months that would keep this conflict from turning into a shooting war. He was willing to make numerous concessions to the ayatollahs. The one thing he would not compromise on was Iran losing its ability to enrich uranium. Stubbornly, Iran dug in and said anything having to do with enrichment was off the table. Trump gave Ayatollah Khamenei 60 days to change his mind. The Ayatollah stalled. On day 61, Israel attacked. Still, Trump said that he might be able to work out a deal. But did he really believe that?

Behind the scenes, a ruse of historic proportions was taking place. While Trump was criticizing some of Netanyahu’s actions and proposing peace, America was secretly preparing for action. Then, on June 21, the US implemented Operation Midnight Hammer. It began with the United States Air Force (USAF) launching an operation to relocate numerous B-2 bombers and KC-135 tankers to Guam. The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is the only plane equipped to deploy the GBU-57 MOP, so everyone watching this transfer took a relieved breath. Obviously, any US attack wouldn’t happen until the planes had arrived and were resettled. However, while those planes were on their way west, seven B-2s, along with some refueling KC-135 tankers, quietly left Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri heading east. At 2:30 a.m. local time, six B-2s dropped 12 MOPs on the Fordow facility, while the seventh dropped another two on Natanz. At the same time, a submarine fired 30 Tomahawk missiles at Natanz and Isfahan. The results were catastrophic to the sites and to Iran’s nuclear program. Soon after the attack, President Trump announced that he was open to moderating peace between Iran and Israel.

On June 23, the US president announced that a ceasefire agreement would be executed on June 25. As a face-saving measure, President Trump allowed Iran to fire missiles at an evacuated US base in Qatar. To learn the history of this bizarre but necessary strategy and the fascinating way it played out in a similar way after the 2020 assassination of Qassem Soleimani, please watch my update from Tuesday. Israel used the time leading to the ceasefire to eliminate a nuclear scientist and hundreds of Basij operatives. The Basij are an auxiliary force to the Iranian police and who work alongside the guidance patrol (morality police). Iran continued its philosophy of targeting civilians, launching more than 20 missiles, one of which landed in Beersheba where it killed four people and wounded at least 22 others. Finally, the ceasefire went into effect yesterday, June 25.

Did Israel Accomplish Its Goals?
Israel had four primary goals in going to war with Iran. First, it wanted to cause significant damage to the country’s nuclear program. This was not just for Israel, but for the world. With Tehran’s proxy network – dwindling but still existent – the threat of a nuclear Iran was much greater than just them shooting off a missile. They could equip a proxy militia with a smaller nuke or a dirty bomb, and that militia could smuggle it to any continent in the world. A nuclear Iran was a global peril, but Israel and the United States seemed to be the only ones with guts enough to address it. This goal was accomplished, despite what CNN and the New York Times are telling you. The destruction of Fordow is reported to be complete and its uranium is buried deep underground. The fake media is downplaying it because they are desperate to not give either Trump or Netanyahu a victory. More about this in a moment.

Second, Israel needed to significantly damage Iran’s missile program. Prior to the war, it was producing 300 long-range missiles per month, or 3,600 per year. If it still had its launchers intact, that could be devastating for Israel. However, as mentioned above, Israel destroyed at least 65% of Iran’s launching capabilities, and the missile production factory was obliterated.

Third, the proxy Shiite axis needed to be shaken up. As long as Iran stood strong, terrorist militias like Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and many others still held hope. But Iran has been shown to be an empty shell of a nation. Their military deflation can also embolden governments such as Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen to eradicate their terrorist infestation without fear of reprisal from the Islamic regime in Tehran.

Four, conditions needed to be created for the long-term thwarting of the nuclear and missile programs of Iran through diplomatic means. This means inspection and verification. The big bully persona that Iran used to cow the UN and European nations has been proven to be an emperor with no clothes. With the US leading the way, the path is open to ensure that Tehran will toe the line when it comes to nuclear production. They’ve now experienced firsthand what will happen if they step too far.

One item that many thought would be on the list that was not was the toppling of the Islamic regime. That was never on Israel’s to-do. Sure, we would love to see the fall of the ayatollahs. But that needs to come from the inside. While most Iranians are wonderful people, it would be hard to get many behind an Israeli-directed rebel movement. I believe that the ground has been shaken and we are already seeing pockets of dissatisfaction. However, if the citizens of Iran want a new leadership, they will have to act quickly while the regime is still reeling. Once the ayatollahs get their feet back under them, they’ll once again be ready to wield their iron fist.

Back to the false narrative that’s being propagated that Iran’s nuclear program was only set back by a few weeks or a few months. This is typical of the leftist media and the liberal world leaders who are all so desperate to buy into any lies fed to them by Iran if it means harming Benjamin Netanyahu or Donald Trump. Just look back to the recent false narrative that Hamas put out about the IDF firing on people waiting in line for humanitarian aid. It was an easily disproved lie, but everyone was quick to latch onto the falsehood being disseminated by a proven murderous terrorist group. And trying to get the duped masses to back off of the lie, even in the face of overwhelming evidence, was like trying to pry a crust of bread from the fingers of a starving man. Iran’s propaganda machine now claims that their nuclear program was only slightly damaged, and nearly every single media outlet took it as the gospel truth. Why? Because humiliating the American president and the Israeli prime minister is always the number one item on their agenda.

To combat this lie, President Trump revealed that Israeli troops on the ground in Iran post-attack confirmed the destruction of the nuclear facilities. The Israeli chief of staff doubled down on the veracity of the president’s claim. If anyone still has doubts, they just need to ask themselves why Israel would agree to a ceasefire if their objective of destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities was not achieved? The ayatollah’s nuclear program was the number one existential threat against Israel, and we’re expected to believe that Netanyahu and the IDF said, “Well, everyone, at least we gave it a shot. It’s probably time to start building some bigger bomb shelters.” Does that sound like the rationale of any self-preserving, sane person? Does that sound like anything you’ve ever heard about Israel? Think about it, we’re still fighting with Hamas because we haven’t yet achieved all our objectives. They’re just a militia that occasionally punches above its weight class. A nuclear Iran would have the capability to deal the nation of Israel a permanent knockout blow. Does anyone think we’d just shrug our shoulders at that?

Update: According to Al Jazeera, Iran has now confirmed that its nuclear facilities were “badly damaged” in the US and Israeli airstrikes. CIA Director John Ratcliffe has also affirmed that Iran’s nuclear program has been severely damaged with some facilities being completely destroyed.

God in the War
The hand of God could be seen in this war from even before the first missile was launched. Surprise was key for Israel to pull this attack off. However, some people in Israel who hate Netanyahu leaked news of the attack to elements in Iran. As a result, some of the people who were originally targets the first night fled from their homes. Unfortunately for them, when the Mossad was able to track them down later, they were meeting with other leaders. When the IAF struck, the whole group of leaders ended up being killed at once. Originally, Iran was prepared to launch 1000 missiles in the first hour of war, but the accurate strikes on the launchers cut that number down significantly. We mourn for every Israeli killed or wounded, but the fact that through all the missile barrages only 28 Israeli civilians were lost shows God’s hand. His wisdom and protection could be seen in the planning and execution of this military rout, and His ability to move the heart of world leaders was evident in the US partnership to carry out what Israel was unequipped to accomplish. So many things went right with very few going wrong. That just doesn’t happen in military situations. Once again, I’ll point to what my fictional Mossad agent, Nir Tavor says, “Coincidence is for those who don’t have the imagination to see the big picture.” God is the big picture.

For those wondering how this affects the coming war prophesied about in Ezekiel 38-39, it fits like a hand in a glove. In Tehran, there is a humiliated regime. They’ve lost their coveted nuclear program, their proxy militia network is in shambles, and they’ve been shown to be military frauds. Worst of all, it was almost all done by the hated Israelis – the bane of their existence. This is a regime that wants revenge. They will plot and scheme and wait until the opportune time comes to exact it. It’s been proven that they don’t have the military prowess to accomplish Israel’s downfall on their own. So, when Russia and Turkey align in a conspiracy to invade and destroy the small nation, Iran will not have to be convinced to join. For those who understand Bible prophecy, this is one more puzzle piece that drops directly into place.

Tragedy in Gaza
With all that has been happening with Iran, it’s easy for some to forget that Israel is fighting more than one enemy. The truth of our multi-front war was brought home Tuesday in Khan Younis, Gaza. A terrorist planted a bomb on an IDF vehicle, then detonated it. The vehicle burst into flames, burning all inside. Seven brave IDF soldiers, all aged 19-21, were horrifically killed. We mourn their loss.

Possible Expansion of the Abraham Accords
With the Iran threat dealt with, the fear some countries had of Iranian retaliation resulting from a growing relationship with Israel is no longer a problem. According to American Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, the United States will soon make major announcements regarding countries that will join the Abraham Accords. Witkoff also hinted at a comprehensive peace agreement that might be forged with Iran. Expanding peace between Israel and the Gulf States is one more necessary element for the onset of the coming Ezekiel war.

Muslim Wins Democrat Nomination for NYC Mayor
Former New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, was forced to concede the race for the Democrat nomination for New York City’s mayor to a relatively new face. Zohran Mamdani is a far-left democratic socialist who also happens to be a Muslim. Born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents, Mamdani was the co-founder of the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine at Bowdoin College. While he claims to support the right for the Jewish state to exist, he also believes that Israel is guilty of war crimes. If elected as mayor, Mamdani would be the latest in a trend of Muslims ascending to the executive office in major western cities. His election is not a given, however, as he will face a slew of independent nominees, including current mayor, Eric Adams, and possibly Andrew Cuomo, once again.

The Ministry

As I mentioned above, I am on my way to North America. While there I will be speaking in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Bothell, Washington; Chino Hills, California; Victoria, British Columbia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; and Oakville, Ontario. In the midst of that list, we will also have our Alaska Cruise Prophecy Conference. If you want information for when I might be in your area, please check out our Behold Israel Teaching Around the World webpage.

As always, there are plenty of opportunities to engage with the ministry online this week:

•    Public Reading of Scripture – Thursday, June 26, 6:00 PM PDT
•    Weekly Prayer Meeting, a very special time praying with others from around the world – Friday, June 27, 10:00 AM PDT
•    MidEast & Beyond with Pastor Barry Stagner and me – Wednesday, July 2, 10:00 AM PDT

All our participants on the Young Adults Tour made it home safely. It wasn’t the trip we or they had planned on, but it was very special, nevertheless. Beyond the sites they were able to get to in Israel, they had the opportunity to see some wonderful things in Jordan, including Petra. It was a blessing to watch the Lord protect them and unite them together under some stressful times. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Please continue your prayers for this next month. It is going to be a wonderful, difficult time being gone so long. But I know that God has created these divine appointments, and I am excited to see what He is going to do with each opportunity. Thank you to everyone who prays for and financially supports the ministry of Behold Israel. You are the reason we are able to go to each of these sites to bring God’s Word without ever having to charge a church a dime. We are blessed, as are they, because of you.

Awaiting His Return,

Amir Tsarfati

Amir Tsarfati, a Jewish Christian, is the founder and president of Behold Israel, a news site to correct the scarcity in trustworthy reportage on issues and events impacting Israel, and to resolve the uncertainty about who or what to believe.

The views expressed in opinion articles are solely those of the author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Black Community News.