We now realize that sanctions will not be effective due to Russian and Chinese refusal to participate.
Iran, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah are arming to destroy Israel, and with nuclear and chemical weapons now entering the equation, the situation looks very bleak for Israel. We know from scripture that Israel will not be annihilated by nuclear attack; therefore some unexpected events will likely occur before Iran has the chance to destroy Israel.
Perhaps there will be a disastrous war in which Israel will exercise the Sampson option against Syria destroying Damascus (see Isaiah 17:14).
Whatever develops, it seems certain that cataclysmic events lie on the near horizon. Perhaps these events will be so catastrophic that the ground will be prepared for the false peace treaty of antichrist. - Art Sadlier