Persian Gulf tensions remain high.

“Four [U.S.] Navy minesweepers will soon be on their way to the Persian Gulf… as part of an effort to boost American military capability in the region amid rising tensions with Iran, a Navy official says.”  In March, the U.S. Navy moved four airborne mine countermeasure helicopters to the area to assist the British who are already there.  The idea is “to beef up the American military presence in the region in the face of Iranian threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz,” according to a plan set out by General James Mattis, head of the U.S. Central Command.  The U.S. also plans to keep two carrier groups near the Strait of Hormuz (security.blogs.cnn.com, March 29, 2012).

Bible prophecy indicates an ongoing struggle between Middle Eastern nations and the nations of Europe and beyond (see Daniel 11).  The Middle East figures prominently and repeatedly in end-time prophecy.  For more information on what will occur in this volatile region, be sure to review our insightful booklet on The Middle East in Prophecy.