Situation with Iran: Developments and biblical perspective
In the continued unresolved situation with Iran, there have been misinformative reports from respected media outlets, conflicting stances and disingenuous statements from leading officials, and dumbfounded pundits doing their best to make sense of it all. In fact, it has gotten to the point where it is awkward and silly, but there have been some interesting developments. The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel have been in disagreement over forward direction with the Iran war, with the Israeli Prime Minister wary of diplomacy and preferring military action [1]. On the other hand, the US President is considering “decisive” military action to thereby claim victory and end the war [2]. From the UAE, which was among the first nations in the Abraham Accords, the ambassador to the United States has said that a “conclusive outcome” is needed to address the threats still posed by Iran [3].
Future Israeli Prime Minister?
On May 20, 2026, the POTUS, speaking to the press, said that he is at 99% approval rating in Israel and could run for prime minister there, and that “maybe after I do this, I’ll go to Israel, run for prime minister”. While taken jokingly by many, the comments imply his relationship to Israel currently, in that his popularity in Israel is important to him and that he views the position of Israeli prime minister as an option for future political leadership. Eligibility requires Israeli citizenship or being a resident of Israel [4]. To be defined as a resident of Israel, it must be tested to determine that the person’s “center of life” is in Israel, which takes into consideration family, economic, and social ties [5]. Therefore, it would be a valid possibility if he were to move his center of life to Israel.
Abraham Accords
With multiple Arab nations involved in reaching a deal with Iran, the US administration has introduced joining the Abraham Accords as a factor in the negotiations, specifically for Saudi Arabia and Qatar [6]. It has long been viewed that Saudi-Israeli normalization would be the pinnacle achievement of the Abraham Accords [6]. Saudi Arabia asserts that them joining the Abraham Accords is contingent upon an “irreversible pathway” to establishing a Palestinian state [6]. The delay of a breakthrough in the negotiations conceivably is attributed to pursuit of developing perhaps the most complex geopolitical deal in history. Normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia would entail security, technology, and economic agreements [7], as the two countries have historically viewed each other competitively rather than cooperatively.
Biblical Perspective
These developments ought to be extremely noteworthy from a biblical perspective. But it is not enough to take notice of such things. It ought to be compelling to non-believers that the scriptures are the truth, and it should compel believers to “walk circumspectly” as exhorted in Ephesians 15:5. While not claiming to fully understand the meaning of that peculiar phrase, a study of the wording provides a good basis of understanding. The verb “walk” refers to conduct of living. Some translations say “be (very) careful how you live,” and while that is a good translation in general, the translation “walk circumspectly” is perhaps better. The word “walk” is appropriate in the sense that born again believers are sojourners that know where we come from, and know where we are ultimately going, and that is of great significance in that mindfulness of those realities affects our lives accordingly. Circumspectly does mean “carefully”; the Greek word is akribōs, from which comes the English word acrobat. From this can be continued the theme of walk in the sense of tightrope walking from a starting point to a destination point, specifically the manner in which you do so. It involves focus, as it says in Hebrews 12:2 to fix your eyes on Jesus. Remember also Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. It is a high calling, but as Matthew 19:26 says, with God all things are possible.
References
[1] Cicurel, A., Y. Tobin, J. Brody, S. Havdala, and R. Grabbar. Iran War Update: 5/21/26. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
[2] TOI Staff and Agencies. 2026, May 23. Trump said weighing new Iran strikes as he seeks ‘decisive’ victory; Netanyahu frozen of talks. The Times of Israel.
[3] Hooper, C. and Y. Tobin. 2026, May. Abraham’s Fortress: Strengthening Middle East Defenses Against Iran. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
[4] 2001. Basic Law (of Israel): The Government.
[5] 2024. Taxation of international executives: Israel. KPMG
[6] Frieberg, N and TOI Staff. 2026, May 25. Trump says ‘mandatory’ for Muslim nations involved in Iran deal to join Abraham Accords. The Times of Israel.
[7] Blanchard, C. M. 2024. Possible U.S.-Saudi Agreements and Normalization with Israel: Considerations for Congress, Document R48162. Congressional Research Service.
Josh Bowditch is an aspirer of stewardship in the Biblical sense. This includes ascertaining the truth and writing concisely about topics of interest.
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