Breaking News June 29 2026

As far as the headlines... Here we go again...after threats from both sides to expand the conflict, that the crisis may end with the destruction of the Islamic Republic of Iran, or the destruction of the American bases in the Middle East, we now have another agreement from both sides to halt attacks and get back to the bargaining table... where the talks continue to go nowhere. Iran remains a master at dragging out potential agreements while never actually committing to anything. This is the "new normal." Iran is running out the clock on the Trump administration...so...where things eventually land in the short term, as always is anyone’s guess. US, Iran agree to halt Hormuz attacks, hold talks about strait in Qatar on Tuesday Why did Iran renew attacks on Gulf states, despite the Memorandum of Understanding? And in our “Turkey watch” Netanyahu warns US about Erdoğan's calls for Israel's annihilation These headlines illustrate some of the ongoing problems...they will be sorted out....but when is not known... Headline 1 US, Iran agree to halt Hormuz attacks, hold talks about strait in Qatar on Tuesday US official says sides to stand down ‘for now’ after Tehran skips technical talks scheduled for Sunday; Iran’s FM threatens to ‘increase tensions’ if ships don’t traverse route it controls And so things continue ...attacks, threats, and then back to the bargaining table with nothing really being accomplished....frustrating? Yes! But this is the game both sides are playing, each for their own reasons... Headline 2 Why did Iran renew attacks on Gulf states, despite the Memorandum of Understanding? - analysis The Islamic Republic’s decision to renew its attacks on Gulf states early Sunday morning, despite the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Tehran and Washington, was as much a signal of the regime’s continued commitment to its “resistance” axis for its hardliners as it was a protest against the Lebanon-Israel agreement, experts told The Jerusalem Post. So much for the threats... all is back to a fragile calm now... the article continues to explain why Iran does this... From the Gulf perspective, ... Iran’s actions are not being accepted as random breaches but “calculated moves to exploit the truce,” using the “MoU as a shield that lowers the risk of direct US retaliation, giving it space to consolidate regional leverage.” By keeping provocations below the threshold of triggering a kinetic American response, Iran tests the boundaries of the agreement and signals that its operational freedom remains intact despite the diplomatic framework,” he noted, stating that such actions widen the gap between the US and its Gulf partners. “For Gulf capitals, Iran’s strikes prove that the MoU lacks deterrent power, functioning more like a managed ceasefire than a genuine security guarantee. The perception grows that Washington is increasingly focused on risk avoidance and crisis management rather than enforcing absolute security.” That is a fair observation... risk avoidance and crisis management... but no real progress with the main problem of Iran’s adventurism in the Middle East... This is a helpful explanation of the situation... Iran is making calculated moves, pushing the envelope but never going too far. This keeps other countries in the region fearful of them while not really settling anything. They assume the appetite of the US for a continuation of the fighting grows less and less each day... Headline 3 Netanyahu warns US about Erdoğan's calls for Israel's annihilation Yet the US does nothing in response. Indeed, Turkey is being rewarded for not entering the war on the side of Iran and also being a so-called a peacemaker with respect to Gaza...we know from Scripture that Turkey will eventually participate in the predicted last days invasion of Israel (Ezekiel 38,39)... Israel recognizes the threat, it seems that the leadership of the current US administration does not... Once again, we watch so many of the specific predictions about the time of the end continue to fall into place. This should encourage each of us as believers. We do not know “how” or “when” but we certain see the inevitable falling into place... Another reason why we need a balanced view of the last days... Support the ministry of Don Stewart here: https://goinchrist.com/our-misionarie... Get access to all the materials from Pastor Don Stewart here: http://eowwithdonstewart.com/ Follow Pastor Don Stewart Facebook:   / educatingourworld