Temporary Peace or the Beginning of a Global Realignment in the Middle East?
The events of recent weeks in the Middle East have once again placed the region at the center of international attention. The recent pause in U.S. bombings on Iranian territory, after nearly two weeks of continuous hostilities, has opened a waiting period that many analysts are presenting as a possible step toward an instance of strategic diplomacy. The technical talks held in Oman and the efforts aimed at stabilizing transit through the Strait of Hormuz, appear to reflect the intention to reduce tension and avoid an escalation that would further jeopardize regional stability and international trade.
However, for Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, behind these diplomatic efforts lies a much deeper and more transcendent reality that cannot be understood solely from the perspective of international politics.
Referring to the moment the region is going through, he stated:
“Now, these days, the United States is still at war with Iran; and the latest thing I heard: it seems they are going to leave it at that, when they should completely exterminate the problem at its root! If they keep dropping a couple of little bombs and then withdraw, later on they will do the same thing. See? These are seemingly temporary peace processes, but evil remains there.”
These words invite us to distinguish between a circumstantial peace and the definitive elimination of the causes that give rise to the conflict. From this perspective, a temporary interruption of military operations does not necessarily constitute the resolution of the problem, but merely a pause within a process that still remains open.
The very evolution of international events confirms the fragility of the current scenario.
While the United States military suspended its airstrikes after 13 consecutive nights of bombings, uncertainty continues to prevail in the international community. The outlook remains open, and the major powers continue to evaluate their next steps in a region whose stability remains decisive for the global geopolitical balance.
In this context, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has maintained a position that combines diplomatic pressure with the possibility of reaching an understanding with Tehran.
On the one hand, he has issued severe warnings to the Iranian regime; on the other, he has publicly fueled expectations of a negotiation; stating, before the media gathered in the Oval Office:
“We can negotiate with them, which we’re also doing right now.”
However, the president himself also tempered those expectations by stating that he does not believe Iran is “ready” yet to reach a final agreement.
At the same time, he acknowledged:
“I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the obvious reason.”
The statements of the U.S. president reflect a scenario in which military pressure, diplomatic negotiation, and uncertainty over the definitive outcome of the conflict continue to coexist.
The Prophetic Background of the Crisis
For Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, fully understanding what is taking place between Washington and Tehran requires looking beyond a simple journalistic account and analyzing events from a broader perspective.
In this regard, he maintained that it is necessary to observe the geopolitical map through the lens of the biblical prophecies contained in chapter 2 of the book of Daniel.
In that context, he stated:
“That kingdom of Persia, that kingdom of Iran, must be completely removed, so that only the kingdom of Rome remains; that is, the kingdom of the feet of iron and clay.”
From this theological perspective, the final world order does not contemplate the coexistence of different geopolitical blocs developing simultaneously as parallel structures of power.
As Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos explained:
“There can’t also be a kingdom running parallel to that last kingdom of the legs of iron and clay; only that one must remain. Therefore, those remnants that remain of that Persian empire: Iran, must be removed. And that will be a very great sign when it happens. Which will mark a definitive prophetic milestone in these days.”
From this interpretation, current events transcend the strictly political and military realm, to become part of a broader historical process whose development, according to Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, forms part of the progressive fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
High-Pressure Diplomacy at the White House
It is precisely in this scenario of maximum tension that the visit of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, to the United States takes on particular relevance.
Although the official reason for the trip is to participate in the funeral services of the late Senator Lindsey Graham —described by the Prime Minister’s Office as “a friend of Israel”— the scheduled meetings between the highest authorities of both countries will focus on the immediate future of the Middle East and the strategic challenges facing the region.
Referring to these meetings, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos stated:
“Now, we hope that… They have a meeting these days in Washington, or in New York. The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, is going to be there, and they are going to talk about all of that as well.”
The importance of these conversations lies in the fact that Israel has cautiously observed the development of the U.S. attacks, fully aware that this crisis involves control of a strategic maritime route through which approximately twenty percent of the oil traded in the world passes.
Consequently, the reactivation of bilateral contacts between Washington and Jerusalem seeks to align stances against a common enemy and coordinate the next strategic steps in a scenario marked by the ongoing volatility of the Persian Gulf.
The Race Against the Electoral Clock
In addition to the military and diplomatic components, the time factor appears as one of the most sensitive elements of the current situation.
The proximity of upcoming electoral processes introduces a political variable that could significantly modify the geopolitical scenario.
Domestically in the United States, President Donald Trump has downplayed speculation regarding the potential electoral impact of rising fuel prices.
Before the press, he stated:
“Despite what everyone says about the election, I’m not in a hurry… Elections take care of themselves.”
However, Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos drew attention to another electoral process that, from his perspective, is of even greater importance for the immediate future of the Middle East: the elections scheduled in Israel.
On this point, he said:
“But look at what is happening in Israel: now there are going to be elections in October. They have to hurry. Because if a prime minister comes along who is not in favor (and aligned with that line of thought) of the religious world, of the Orthodox, and someone else comes along and wins the elections in October, things are going to get difficult for Israel. In other words, they should instead take advantage of the time remaining in his term, just in case there is a surprise in October.”
These words reflect the importance that Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos attributes to the Israeli political calendar within the regional context. From this perspective, the time available to consolidate certain strategic decisions is limited and could be conditioned by the outcome of the upcoming elections.
As Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos himself noted: “The window to consolidate positions of strength is extremely narrow. Political actors must act swiftly in the face of the possibility of an electoral reversal or a surprise at the polls.”
This warning constitutes the natural conclusion of the geopolitical analysis developed throughout this reflection. However, for Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, international events cannot be understood solely from the perspective of human decisions, diplomacy, or military strategy.
Above all those factors, there exists a higher purpose whose fulfillment, he states, continues to unfold according to the prophetic program revealed in the Scriptures.
For this reason, he concluded his statement with a reminder:
“But remember that everything is, and everything will be fulfilled, according to the prophecies. None of this rests in human hands.”
From the perspective presented by Dr. José Benjamín Pérez Matos, the events currently unfolding in the Middle East transcend the international situation and constitute part of a broader historical process. Beyond diplomatic negotiations, military decisions, or political changes that may occur in the various countries involved, the definitive outcome will be determined by the fulfillment of the prophetic purpose which, according to the Scriptures, will lead to the establishment of the final order announced in the book of Daniel.