Analysis: How war in Ukraine increases Iran’s threat to Israel

February 24, 2022 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “Reports on Thursday morning showed Russian attacks across Ukraine, including against key airports and military sites. Air raid sirens were heard in western Ukraine and in Lviv where some countries – including Israel – have relocated their embassies. The message that Russia’s unprovoked attack has for the world is clear: Other countries can do the same.

In the Middle East, Iran understands that the Russian operation gives it a blank check to continue attacking countries throughout the region. This has repercussions potentially for Israel. Israel has always behaved as if it will have to face Iran alone, but the conflict in Ukraine is yet another message for the Middle East. 

While Israel-Iran tensions have gone on for decades, the question is whether the Russian war in Ukraine will open a Pandora’s Box of similar invasions and wars.

There is a chance that the war in Ukraine and the US focus on Ukraine could lead Iran to believe it can exploit this chaotic time to encourage its proxies to attack Israel. Hezbollah has been threatening Israel and increasingly stockpiling missiles and drones. Iran could benefit from the Ukraine crisis through either getting a reduction in nuclear sanctions or empowering its proxies…”  (Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. – Psalm 2:1-12.)

Iran unveils new missile named for Jewish oasis overrun by Muslims

February 9, 2022 — The Jerusalem Post reports: “Iran unveiled a new domestically-made missile with a range of 1,450 kilometers on Wednesday, state TV reported, a day after Tehran and Washington resumed indirect talks to salvage a 2015 nuclear deal.

Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programs in the Middle East, says its ballistic missiles have a range of up to 2,000 km (1,200 miles) and are capable of reaching its arch-foe Israel and US bases in the region.

State TV displayed the new surface-to-surface ‘Khaybar Shekan’ (Khaybar buster) missile, which refers to an ancient Jewish oasis called Khaybar in the Arabian Peninsula’s Hijaz region that was overrun by Muslim warriors in the 7th century.

‘This long-range missile is domestically manufactured by the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC)… It has high accuracy and is propelled by solid fuel and is capable of penetrating missile shields,’ Iranian state media reported.

Tehran regards its missile program as an important deterrent against the United States, Israel and other adversaries. It has rejected Western demands to halt its ballistic missile work…”  (They may threaten Israel, but Psalm 121 states: I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.   The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.)