The Final Phase of the Iran & Israel War Begins

The clock is ticking, and it's now or never for Iran.

It’s been a little over 24 hours now since the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign, codenamed Magen Yehuda (Shield of Judah) or Operation Epic Fury, began on the early morning of February 28, 2026. Iran’s response, Operation True Promise IV, is now underway, and all countries are in a state of active war. For Iran, this war is an existential crisis. For the US and Israel, it is another attempt at regime change, like Venezuela,¹ in order to control oil and other strategic assets in the region and further expand the Greater Israel project. With Iranian state media now confirming the death of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Armed forces (IRGC) will have no other choice but to climb the escalation ladder very quickly in the face of the US-Israeli threat. They will be forced to deploy the greatest weapons they have, including the nuclear-capable Khorramshahr‑4 that I wrote about in my previous article.²

The New War Begins: February 28, 2026

In less than a year’s time, the US and Israel are once again at war with Iran in what has now become their greatest joint surprise attack since the 12-Day War in June 2025.

The US-Israel preemptive strikes hit military infrastructure, top leaders, and other targets across multiple Iranian cities.³

The first strikes of the attack are said to have targeted the home of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital.⁴

The attacks began with US and Israeli large-scale strikes on Iran, targeting key political and military infrastructure in Tehran and other cities, including the Supreme Leader’s compound, the Ministry of Defense, and the Parchin military complex. Iranian state-run media outlets Fars and IRNA reported strikes in Isfahan, Qom, Lorestan, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Tabriz, as well as in the capital, Tehran.⁵ As reported by Zerohedge, Israel described the strikes against Iran as "a broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime" that was planned for months.⁶ Apparently, part of that plan included terrorism, as over 100 Iranian girls, ages 7 to 12, were killed in a strike on an elementary school in the city of Minab.⁷ With advanced precision and guided technology in their arsenal, it is clear that this intentional strike by the Zionist forces was carried out to inflict psychological and emotional damage, just as has been witnessed in Gaza, Lebanon, and other war fronts.

The destroyed Iranian girls’ school in Minab (Source: Middle East Eye)⁸

Iran’s response targeted Israel along with countries that host US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Several drone and missile impacts have been reported, both in Israel and abroad. Iranian drones have also been seen in Dubai, UAE. Other retaliations and attacks are currently ongoing, both from the Israeli side and from Iran. As reported by the Times of Israel,

“Waves of sirens rang out repeatedly across much of central, southern and northern Israel on Saturday night and Sunday morning as Iran fired ballistic missiles at the country, sending millions of Israelis to shelter. Iran’s state broadcaster said 27 US bases in the region, as well as Israel’s military headquarters and a defense industries complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets in the new wave of strikes.”⁹

With Israel’s population under constant threat of attack, the clock is ticking for the US and Israel to carry out their operations. As was the case in the 12-Day War, the ceasefire was requested because the damage to Tel Aviv and other Israeli infrastructure was getting too severe. It is unclear how the US and Israel will sustain a long campaign. It is in their best interest to use their traditional shock-and-awe bombing raids before the situation becomes unmanageable. From the Iranian point of view, they must also act quickly and climb the conflict’s escalation ladder to establish deterrence or decapitation. The existence of Iran’s current government is at stake.

Just yesterday, Iran’s revolutionary guards made an announcement to ships passing through Strait of Hormuz that they are no longer allowed to travel freely. Just today, the first oil tanker has been struck in Hormuz.¹⁰ As reported by Reuters, not only is Iran is a major oil producer but the Strait of Hormuz also is responsible for the flow of about 20% of global oil supply.¹¹ This new conflict is already driving up oil prices, and the consequences will likely be catastrophic for economies worldwide, depending how long the situation lasts. Some sources are saying that oil prices could jump to around $100 from the current Brent crude price of about $73, potentially adding 0.6-0.7 to global inflation.¹² Others are saying prices could soar much higher. Since China, India, Japan, and South Korea are the primary beneficiaries of the oil coming out of Hormuz, it will put pressure on these countries moving forward. China is of particular concern to the current Iran warfront, since it is a foundational BRICS member and strategic ally of Iran. It may choose to take an active role in this war sooner rather than later as its economy will almost immediately see direct consequences from the Hormuz closing.

The Fog of War

I have been warning about this current conflict since 2022. In fact, the Israel and Iran war is the reason I launched Overcome Babylon because I knew that such a war would initiate what Jesus referred to as the “Great Tribulation”. I have talked about these things extensively in my work, and I invite you to see my full analysis from January 1, 2026 where I warned about the very things that are now taking place on the geopolitical stage:

In that video, I walk you step-by-step through the process of establishing the year 2026 on God’s timeline. I demonstrate how the events now taking place at this point in time are not mere chance or randomness—they are divinely orchestrated by the hand of God.

I also invite you to check out my most recent analysis where I warned of the extreme danger of the Iran war and its consequences just a week before the new Feb 28th conflict began:

What we are witnessing right now, like we have many times in the past, is the fog of war. With regular exchanges now taking place from all sides, it is unclear what the extent of damage is to infrastructure, who is being targeted, where missile and drone impacts have been confirmed, and so on. It is called a “fog” for a reason. The western war machine’s propaganda arm called “the media” has been very quick to assert US and Israeli dominance over the battlefield. They are insinuating that victory is nearly guaranteed with the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader. There is much talk about US and Israeli superiority over the skies and the ineffectiveness of Iran to mount any significant response.

The propaganda is working.

People are so quickly believing numerous lies about what is taking place and repeating the mockingbird media’s cries of victory when the conflict hasn’t even escalated to its climax yet. We now at the beginning of the end; but it is still only the beginning.

The Escalation Ladder

If you are not familiar with the term “escalation ladder”, then it’s important to get acquainted with this particular framework. During the Cold War era, there was an American military strategist by the name of Herman Kahn’s who coined the term. This framework is related to how war is first entered and then how it increases in its level of hostility. It was designed in an effort to help decision-makers anticipate and manage escalation. The ladder consists of 44 distinct rungs, with the bottom being diplomatic posturing and the final, most escalatory, rung being nuclear attacks.

What we just witnessed geopolitically by the West was one of the most heinous crimes that could be committed diplomatically. The reality is that the United States was actively engaging in nuclear negotiations with Iran for weeks while simultaneously planning and finally executing military strikes in February 2026. Diplomatic talks, mediated by Oman, were ongoing, and officials even stated that a breakthrough was near. Iran had reportedly agreed to zero stockpiles of enriched uranium and full IAEA verification, but the US wanted more. They wanted Iran to completely dismantle its ballistic missile program—Iran’s only true leverage and source of self-defense.

With diplomacy now completely off the table forever, we are entering the next rungs of the escalation ladder. It is unclear where exactly we are at the moment because hostilities are increasing at such a tremendous pace. One thing is clear, however. No country ever goes from diplomacy to the use of nuclear weapons overnight. That’s just not how war and military strategy work. While it is my position—backed by biblical prophecy—that Iran has a nuclear weapon in its arsenal that it will use against the state of Israel to successfully topple the Netanyahu regime, they have not resorted to using this option yet because any war always follows the escalation ladder progression. Regarding the timing of when Iran will finally use it, I now point your attention to the words of Christ:

“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” - Matthew 24:15:21 NKJV

I have explained these words in great detail many times before, but the abomination of desolation that hits the modern-day state of Israel is a nuclear weapon. It is during the “winter or on the Sabbath” that people will be fleeing when this weapon is deployed. Jesus doesn’t say to pray to stop the abomination of desolation from happening. He says to pray about your flight. He is saying to have a plan in place and to get ready beforehand so that you don’t flee foolishly like everyone else. When you pay close attention to the Greek language, it states:

χειμῶνος μηδὲ ἐν σαββάτῳ

These words literally read: “winter neither on sabbath”.

In other words, it is only on a winter-sabbath day that the abomination of desolation can be unleashed to begin the Great Tribulation. With only two sabbaths left in this 12th Hebrew Month—Saturday March 7 and Saturday March 14—until the expected New Moon date of March 20, 2026, we are running out of time for the prophecy to be fulfilled this year. If the use of Iran’s nuclear weapon does not occur in the next two weeks, we must then wait a complete six months for the next Hebrew winter to begin in September 2026. Only then, from September 2026 onward, can we expect the Great Tribulation to begin.

The obvious question is: how long can Iran hold off?

With US and Israeli attacks intended to be swift, punishing, and decisive, Iran now faces an existential crisis. It seems illogical and impossible that they will hold off or even be able to survive as a country until September 2026 under the current pressure the Iranians face. With the blood moon of March 3 approaching (Joel 2:31) and the Jewish festival of Purim potentially overlapping with the prophecy of Amos 8:10 (“I will turn your feasts into mourning”), it seems likely that we will see the start of the Great Tribulation before this winter is over. Though it is entirely possible to wait six months or longer for the prophecy to commence, it’s best to prepare accordingly.

Also if you have not already, I want to invite you to uncover the 2,500-year-old prophecy of Daniel’s 70 Weeks that has now been unsealed. Everything you need to face the last days with confidence can be found in my free Bible Prophecy Secrets Ebook and 3-Part Video Series (just click here or button below):

To Assisting Your Walk With Christ,

Abraham Ojeda

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Sources / Notes:

1. Abraham Ojeda, “It’s Not About Venezuela - The War of the Zionists vs BRICS-10 Continues” Overcome Babylon, Jan 3, 2026, https://www.overcomebabylon.com/p/its-not-about-venezuela-the-war-of

2. Ibid, “Iran & the Bomb ‘Heard ‘Round the World’”, Overcome Babylon, Feb 22, 2026,

3. Zerohedge, “Trump Declares Ayatollah Is Dead, Vows Bombing To Continue ‘Uninterrupted’”, Feb, 28 2026, https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-announces-major-combat-operations-iran

4. UK Report @UK_REPT , Post on X, Feb 27, 2026

   https://www.overcomebabylon.com/p/iran-and-the-bomb-heard-round-the

5. RT, “Has WWIII just started? What’s happening between the US, Israel, and Iran?”, Feb, 28 2026, https://www.rt.com/news/633237-has-wwiii-just-started-whats-happening-iran-israel-us/

6. Zerohedge, “Trump Declares Ayatollah Is Dead, Vows Bombing To Continue ‘Uninterrupted’”, Feb, 28 2026, https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-announces-major-combat-operations-iran

7. MEE correspondent in Tehran, “US and Israeli attack on Iran: At least 115 girls killed in strike on school”, Middle East Eye, Feb, 28, 2026 https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/least-24-girls-killed-us-strike-elementary-school-southern-iran

8. Ibid.

9. Emanuel Fabian, et al., “Trump threatens Iran with force ‘never seen before’ as missiles bombard Israel for second day,” Times of Israel, March 1, 2026, https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-threatens-iran-with-force-never-seen-before-as-missiles-bombard-israel-for-second-day/

10. First Oil Tanker Hit In Strait Of Hormuz, https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/first-oil-tanker-hit-strait-hormuz

11. Reuters, “How US-Iran tensions could shape world markets,” Feb 28, 2026, https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-iran-tensions-could-shape-world-markets-2026-02-28/

12. Ibid.