The unfolding situation with Iran and beyond
As much is unfolding, the situation with Iran and beyond is summarized here as adequately as possible, without political bias and with a Biblical perspective. There have been intensified attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and any such attack seems utterly senseless. It is because of globalization that Iran can adversely impact the U.S. by attacking shipping that is not directly related to the U.S. There has been intensified warfare in and around Yemen, the conflict of which can be explained with some background on the Houthis. Meanwhile, telling statements have recently been made politically.
Recent Hormuz Incidents
On October 1st, the M/T Kazimah III, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) operated by Kuwait Oil Tanker Company, was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and subsequently evacuation of the ship [1]. On October 2nd, the M/T Uhud, owned by Emirates Shipping LLC, was struck in the strait, causing a small fire and blackout [2]. On October 3rd, the M/T Ghana Prosperity, a very large crude carrier, was struck above the waterline [3]. On October 4th, the M/T Lipsi was struck in the strait, causing damage to the engine room, and was reported to be drifting [2]. Also on October 4th, the M/T Gas Vela, a liquified petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, was struck by a drone [4]. Also on October 4th, the M/T Cameroon Prosperity, a very large crude carrier, was struck twice [3]. On October 5th, the M/T Maran Gas Mystras, a liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier, was struck causing an engine room fire [4]. Also on October 5th, the M/T On Peace was struck causing an engine room fire and several crew members were injured [4]. Also on October 5th, the M/T Singapore Energy, a very large crude carrier, was hailed by the IRGC and complied with warnings to turn back [5]. On October 7th, the M/T Acers, which had passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the night of October 3rd-4th, was struck by three drones in the Persian Gulf north of Qatar, causing a fire and multiple casualties were reported [6]. Apparently, the increased attacks on commercial ships were because of increased traffic in the strait.
Saudi Arabia and Yemen
On September 22nd, Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, which had been shut down for eleven days from drone attacks, resumed operations at partial capacity and on September 27th ship loading of crude oil resumed at the port of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea [7]. On October 4th, Saudi-backed forces in Yemen launched an offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis to retake positions along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and throughout Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen [8]. Saudi Arabia has sent 100 fighter jets to provide air support, as well as Apache attack helicopters, and U.S. refueling planes have assisted with aerial refueling [9]. The U.S. is also providing intelligence for the Saudi airstrikes [9]. The conflict between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government of Yemen is a civil war that began in 2014 when the Houthis captured the capital of Sanaa, and the war has been one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world [10]. The Houthis are Zaidi Shiites that have historically resided in northwest Yemen [11]. The Zaidi faction diverged from other Shiites in the early eighth century over disagreement on who should be successor as Imam, choosing Zaid [12]. Zaid led an uprising against the Umayyad ruler and was killed in battle. As such, one of the main tenets of the Zaidis is fighting against injustice and overthrowing rulership perceived as unjust [12]. In the year 897, a newly assumed leader led an immigration from Medina to Yemen [12]. With that as the background, grievances with governance in Yemen and decision-making by the U.N. led to the Houthi movement among Zaidi Shiites in Yemen [11]. On October 5th, the Houthis claimed launching ballistic missiles and drones at Saudi Arabian oil facilities and have threatened air traffic in Saudi airspace [8]. On October 6th, the Houthis claimed to strike the international airport in Riyadh, an Aramco refinery, and other sites in Saudi Arabia [11]. On October 6th, Saudi Arabia reported that airports in Najran and Jazan were hit and damaged [12].
Recent Statements
On October 7th, the president of the United States stated, “I can do whatever I want, if I want.” Firstly, this willfulness is incredibly similar to the Daniel 11:36 description that “the king will do as he pleases.” Secondly, this statement was in the context of outcomes with the midterm elections and political opposition. Statements like this are the epitome of pridefulness. In Matthew 12:34 it is written, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Also on October 7th, the U.S. secretary of state said that the U.S. administration aspires to reclaim Greco-Roman philosophy as the “classical understanding of politics” not just in the United States, “but the whole of civilization.” It is understood from Daniel chapter 2 and Daniel chapter 7 that there would be a restored Roman empire, and from Revelation 17 that there would be another ruler. The west, especially the United States, is an extension of the old Roman empire, which was not conquered and its vestiges have persisted. Furthermore, the explicit intention is that this government system is for the whole world. To conclude with encouragement, Revelation 22:6 says that the words of Scripture are true and have revealed things that must take place.
References
[1] Bergman, J. 2026, October 02. Kuwait-flagged VLCC, Panama-flagged tanker reported hit in Strait of Hormuz, with fires on board. Riviera Maritime Media.
[2] Hand, M. 2026, October 05. Dynacom newbuild among at least four tankers attacked in Hormuz. Seatrade Maritime News.
[3] Hand, M. 2026, October 06. Sinokor, Maran Gas, and Sinogas ships hit in spate of Hormuz attacks. Seatrade Maritime News.
[4] Riviera News. 2026, October 07. 12 injured in Hormuz attack; Angelicoussis LNG carrier among several vessels hit. Riveira Maritime Media.
[5] Howard, G. 2026, October 05. UKMTO issues four Hormuz attack warnings in four hours. Seatrade Maritime News.
[6] Riviera News. 2026, October 08. Casualties reported in tanker attack off Qatar; fire reported on vessel near Fujairah. Riveira Maritime Media.
[7] Tan, F. and S. Liu. 2026, September 29. Saudi Arabia resumes Yanbu oil loading after pipeline restart. Reuters.
[8] Tobin, Y., J. Brody, S. Havdala, and R. Gabber. 2026, October 05. Iran War Update: October 3-5, 2026. The Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
[9] Pasternak, B., B. Rezaei, N. Morrison, B. Schmida, P. Hempel, K. Wells, and B. Carter. Iran Update, October 5, 2026. Institute for the Study of War.
[10] Al-Haj, A. and S. Magdy. Saudi-backed Yemeni forces expel Houthis from areas around key strait: officials. The Times of Israel.
[11] Blanchard, C. M. 2026, July 21. Yemen: Conflict, Red Sea Security, and U.S. Policy, Document IF12581. U.S. Congressional Research Service.
[12] Khalaji, M. 2015. Yemen’s Zaidis: A Window for Iranian Influence. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
[11] AFP. 2026, October 06. Iran-backed Houthis say they target Riyadh airport, Aramco refinery. The Times of Israel.
[12] 2026, October 06. Saudi Arabia says 2 airports were hit in renewed fighting with Houthis and other Mideast news. The Associated Press.
