[Today’s Prayer] Iran War With No Clear Exit… “Could Expand Further if Houthis Join” (Comprehensive)

As the war that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran enters its fourth week, there is still no clear path to an exit.

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According to AFP on the 21st (local time), the U.S., Israel, and Iran have recently expanded their targets in all directions, becoming increasingly entangled in a longer and more complex “quagmire” of war.

Israel has expanded its attacks beyond bombing Iran’s largest gas field, South Pars, and the natural gas refining complex in Asaluyeh in the southwest, to even reaching the northern Caspian Sea region.

Iran has also continued to threaten neighboring countries by repeatedly attacking energy facilities in the Gulf region, including the Ras Laffan LNG production facility in Qatar and the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery complex in Kuwait. The day before, Iran also launched a ballistic missile from its mainland to the Diego Garcia joint UK-U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean, about 4,000 km away.

On this day, Israel and Iran even exchanged attacks on each other’s nuclear facilities.

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The shockwaves of the war are continuing to affect the global economy. Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has risen by more than 50% in the past month, maintaining a high price of around $110 per barrel.

However, even the strategic goals of the U.S. and Israel, who are parties to the war, are not aligned, and a resolution to the situation still appears far off.

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AFP noted, “The Middle East war has entered a new phase, but there is still no clear exit,” adding, “Everything remains uncertain, including the U.S. objectives and Iran’s ability to endure prolonged pressure.”

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However, some point out that it is too early to conclude that Iran’s military capacity has been exhausted.

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In particular, there are predictions that if the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fully join the war, it could expand even further. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. and its Middle Eastern allies are closely monitoring the movements of the Houthi rebels, who could halt shipping in the Red Sea.

As Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s largest energy supply route, if the Houthis also block the alternative route through the Red Sea, the economic burden could increase further. In fact, during much of the past two years of the Gaza conflict, the Houthis have paralyzed Red Sea shipping.

In this war, the Houthis have not yet begun attacks and have refrained from noticeable actions, but they are signaling that they could join at any time. A senior Houthi official, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, recently warned, “Our fingers are on the trigger,” adding, “It is only a matter of time before Yemen joins the conflict.”

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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

As the war that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran enters its fourth week, we hear that a resolution still seems far off.

Israel has expanded its attacks beyond Iran to the northern Caspian Sea, and Iran has also attacked energy facilities in the Gulf region and a joint UK-U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean. Furthermore, if the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen fully join the conflict, it is expected that the war will become even more complex. Lord, we ask that You take control of every situation and guide this war to come to an end quickly.

We lift up all the war situations involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran to You, Lord. Please intervene so that the leaders of Israel, the United States, Iran, and even the Houthi rebels may make life-giving decisions according to Your command to love one another. Lord, please help them.

As oil prices rise due to the war and people in Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries grow anxious because of missile attacks, we ask that You protect all nations with Your hand.

May those who are suffering and living in fear because of the war come to rely on Jesus, and may churches in every nation overcome all fear through the love of Jesus.

May the churches in the Middle East continue to carry the love of Jesus to the end, and even in difficult circumstances, rise up as churches that love people and nations who have not yet experienced His love, and proclaim the love of Jesus.

May the global church become one that intercedes for peace in the Middle East and offers help, and may true shalom come upon this land through the love of Jesus.

And through this, may the nations rise up to love Jesus alone and prepare the way for His return.