Potential Deal in Iran
The U.S.-Iran war is both escalating and potentially deescalating. On the one hand, U.S. President Donald Trump says that negotiations toward a permanent peace deal are “proceeding nicely.” On the other hand, the U.S. this week launched a new wave of what it called “self-defense” strikes against Iran.
The potential peace deal is believed to include terms that would end the war and re-open the Strait of Hormuz. The major sticking point, however, is believed to be how Iran would be compelled to handle its stockpile of enriched uranium. The U.S. demands Iran give it up completely in order to safeguard against further enrichment to achieve weapons-grade material while Iran insists a right to maintain the enrichment program. Even in the event Iran relents, there is a major question of what to do with the enriched material. Russia has offered to take it, which raises its own set of complicating factors.
Analysis and eternal perspective: War is ugly. So too are the attempts to bring the fighting to an end. Every party to this war—the U.S., Iran, and the rest of the world—have their own perspective on each of the major negotiating pieces in play. This dynamic has played out multiple times before—most notable in recent history is the 2015 deal former U.S. President Barack Obama struck with Iran—and each time Iran has returned to a similar place of conflict with the world.
As a Jesus follower, you know you are to persistently pray for peace (Ps. 34:14). You should also be clear-eyed (Matt. 10:16 calls it “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves”) about what a potential “deal” would mean, and whether it would actually produce lasting peace.
The 2015 Iran deal was overwhelmingly supported by the political Left in the U.S. and overwhelmingly opposed by the political Right. A potential 2026 deal would almost certainly secure the support of the Right and engender the opposition of the Left. In both cases, this dynamic is driven primarily by the occupant of the White House. Candidly, the long-term results of any peace deal have very little to do with the U.S. president who secures the deal and a whole lot to do with what the deal sets forth. Each of us would do well to judge a potential forthcoming deal on its merits rather than by our natural disposition to any elected leader.
Through it all, let’s be champions in prayer for those in harm’s way. This is a particularly good reminder this week, as we remember with gratitude those who have paid the highest price for our freedom.