As Israel continues to dismantle Iran’s terror proxy network, the Islamic Republic is turning away from militias and toward global superpowers like Russia and China, escalating tensions and laying the groundwork for prophetic end-times events foretold in the Bible.
Erick Stakelbeck, host of The Watchman newscast, warned in his latest livestream that Iran is “recalibrating” its military alliances after Israel’s crushing victory in the recent 12-day war. “All that time, money, treasure, and blood that the Iranian regime spent in building up this ring of fire… it’s all out the window now,” he said. “It’s been exposed… as a flimsy strategy at the end of the day.”
Following Israel’s decisive strikes, Iran’s longstanding “ring of fire” strategy, arming and deploying terror proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, has largely collapsed. “They’re a shell of their former selves,” Stakelbeck said. “The Ring of Fire is now a smoldering heap of ruins.”
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Despite its losses, Iran is not retreating. Instead, it is strengthening ties with stable nuclear powers. “If you’re Iran, where do you go? You go to nation states,” Stakelbeck explained. “Which nation states in particular do you go to? Nation states that are stable. How do nation states become stable? Through having nuclear weapons. It’s the ultimate deterrent.”
He called this alliance the “Gathering Storm coalition,” consisting of Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. “There will never be a time when Russia, China, and North Korea… are completely irrelevant on the world stage,” he said. “They can’t be dismissed out of hand.”
This pivot was on full display during a joint naval drill between Iran and Russia in the Caspian Sea this week. Dubbed Cassariks 2025, the exercise was announced under the banner “Together for a Safe and Secure Caspian Sea.” Stakelbeck dismissed the framing, saying, “Iran and Russia, two of the world’s worst actors, are holding joint naval drills… and look, don’t worry. It’s just to reinforce maritime safety.”
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Iran’s foreign minister has also doubled down on his country’s nuclear ambitions. “We’re not going to give up our uranium enrichment program,” the minister told Fox News, according to Stakelbeck. “They’re digging in their heels… they’re not changing their tune at all. They’re doubling down.”
Stakelbeck praised President Donald Trump for his bold response to the rising threat. “Trump is a man of keeping his word when it comes to deadlines,” he said. “Peace through strength is back. He’s strong. He’s bold. He’s got leverage. And he’s not afraid to use it.”
He also tied the geopolitical unrest to biblical prophecy, referencing Ezekiel 38 and 39. “That invasion force will come… mostly Islamic nations that come against Israel in the latter days of history,” he said. “Russia, Turkey and Iran are all named by their ancient biblical names in the book of Ezekiel.”
While much of Iran’s regional network has crumbled, Stakelbeck noted the Houthis in Yemen remain active and dangerous. “They continue to launch attacks, ballistic missiles, drones, attacking shipping in the Red Sea,” he said. A senior Israeli official reportedly told Stakelbeck in Washington: “We will destroy the Houthis.”
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Stakelbeck concluded that the Ayatollahs’ public bravado hides their real weakness. “They’ve been exposed,” he said. “They’re puffing their chest out right now and acting tough… but come on, let’s get serious.”
As tensions escalate, Stakelbeck urged viewers to watch for prophetic patterns. “Don’t be surprised that the demonic activity continues until you absolutely crush it decisively,” he said. “The Bible’s very clear… that day will come.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
