Ceasefire between Iran and Israel: What you may or may not have expected
The US carried out strategic strikes on June 22. The approach of B-2 stealth bombers to Iran was from over the Mediterranean Sea, Israel, Jordan, and Iraq [1]. Multiple 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs were dropped on the Fordow nuclear site [2], a centrifuge enrichment plant located 250-300 feet underground [3]. Satellite imagery shows six entry-point craters at the Fordow site [2]. While extensive damage to the centrifuges is presumed, it appears that Iran had moved materials from the site prior to the strike [2]. It is said that two MOP bombs were dropped on the Natanz nuclear site [2], a centrifuge enrichment plant located 25 feet underground [3], though satellite imagery shows one entry-point crater at the Natanz site [2]. Both the Natanz and Isfahan sites were struck with Tomahawk cruise missiles (TLAM) [2], which are sea-launched. In response, the IRGC threatened attack on US bases in the region [4]. As a follow-up to the US bombing of Fordow, Israel carried out airstrikes on access roads leading to the site [5].
On June 23, Iran launched ballistic missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar [6], which has a persistent U.S. military presence [7]. It is reported that Iran had given advanced notice to the United States [8], with the intent that the attack could be excused as symbolic retaliation. There was no impact to the base in the attack [9]. Interestingly, just a few hours later, ceasefire was announced. It is remarkable how both Israel and Iran are both subservient to the “strongman.” He always has assumed that role. Undoubtedly, Israel had more targets in Iran to strike, and on the Iranian side, those of the Shiite jihadist persuasion were forced to acquiesce.
Clearly the stage is now setting for the Ezekiel 38-39 scenario. The orthodox Jews must know this too, but do not consider it along with passages like Matthew 24 or the book of Revelation, both obviously in the New Testament. Ezekiel 38 describes a coalition of ground forces that approaches Israel to attack, at a time when Israel has recovered from war and living in safety (v.8). The coalition is understood to be of ground forces by words like “army” (v.4) and “troops” (v.6). It is well evident by now that attacking Israel primarily by air is strategically ineffective. Of particular interest is the participants in the coalition; Ezekiel uses names from the table of nations in Genesis 10. There is considerable debate as to exactly who these references correspond with today. One geographic indicator is “the far north” (v.6 and v.15). While Russia is assumed to be included, Turkey is the far north of the Middle East and it certainly was the far north of Ezekiel’s day; Russia would be an outlier of the group.
Another debated aspect of Ezekiel 38 is the equipment and tools for war – horses, shields, swords, and helmets. “Horses” may be taken literally, or could refer to automobiles by the concept of horsepower. Beth Togarmah in particular was known for its horses (Ezekiel 27:14). It is peculiar why the word “chariots” is not used. Remember that Psalm 20:7 says “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”. It is possible that the word “chariots” is not used as a reference here because chariots travelled on roads, whereas the forces in Ezekiel 38 are off-road, like a cloud over the land (v.16). “Swords” is a reference to weapons, which somehow could be used for fuel and burned up, as mentioned in Ezekiel 39:9.
Only through the insight of scripture do we know that the armies amassed against Israel will end up fighting among each other, just like what occurred during the time of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:23. Ezekiel 38:21 says it like this: “Every man’s sword will be against his brother”. The word brother here is in this widest sense, so that “one another” and “each other” are applicable translations, and they may be considered brothers in the sense that they would be fellow soldiers outfitted for war. In the meantime, it should be noted that Turkey already has massive ground forces and is poised for rising influence in the Middle East.
[1] AP. 2025, July 22. Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan ‘sustained extremely severe damage,’ says top US general; Hegseth: Mission ‘not about regime change’. The Times of Israel.
[2] Reddy, R., A. Parry, B. Carter. 2025, June 22 (Morning Edition). Iran Update Special Report. Institute of the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project.
[3] Eisenstadt, M. 2025. Attacking Iran’s Nuclear Program: The Complex Calculus of Preventative Action, Policy Note 157. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
[4] Schmida, B., A. Parry, N. Morrison, R. Reddy, O. Gibson, and B. Carter. 2025, June 22 (Evening Edition). Iran Update Special Report. Institute of the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project.
[5] Reddy, R., K. Campa, and A. Ganzeveld. 2025, June 23 (Morning Edition). Iran Update Special Report. Institute of the Study of War and the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project.
[6] 2025, June 23. US official confirms Iran attack on base in Qatar, says no casualties reported. The Times of Israel.
[7] Nicastro, L. A. and A. Tilghman. 2024. U.S. Overseas Basing: Background and Issues for Congress, Document R48123. Congressional Research Service.
[8] Frieberg, N. 2025, June 23. Iran said to notify Qatar ahead of strike on US air base. The Times of Israel.
[9] 2025, June 23. No Iranian attack detected at any US base other than Qatar, US military official says. The Times of Israel.
Josh Bowditch is an aspirer of stewardship in the Biblical sense. This includes ascertaining the truth and writing concisely about topics of interest.
