Iran and Rome

“Pope Francis held talks with Iran’s president at the Vatican Tuesday [January 26], calling on Tehran to play a key role in stopping the spread of terrorism as Iran tries to improve its image in the global arena” (Associated Press, January 26, 2016). During this visit, the pope noted “I thank you for your visit and I hope for peace,” while President Rouhani even asked the pope to pray for him (Reuters, January 26, 2016). President Rouhani later visited other European nations during his trip. “‘A new chapter has begun in Tehran’s relations with the EU, including France,’ Iran’s ISNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying on his arrival in Paris on Wednesday” (Deutsche Welle, January 27, 2016).

It will be interesting to see how this growing rapport—for the time being—between Iran and Rome and EU nations plays out in the future.  Could Iran be part of the countries “from the east and the north” that eventually “trouble” the European king of the north, after his armies occupy Israel in the time of the end (Daniel 11:44)?  The future holds some strange and sobering events in regard to all the major powers in the region. For deeper insight into this future, read our free booklet The Middle East in Prophecy.