Shalom, everyone, I’m Monte Judah with Lion and Lamb Ministries, bringing you the latest Messianic World Update. Today’s date is Friday, February 13th of the year 2026.
This week’s headlines continue to confirm what we’ve been watching develop for many months now: the Middle East is moving steadily toward a major decision point, and the nations are positioning themselves for what could become a regional war.
For the seventh time in just 13 months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met face-to-face with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. That frequency of meetings tells us something very important—this is not simply political theater. This is a strategic alliance under pressure, dealing with threats that are growing more urgent by the day.
Israel is surrounded by enemies, and the decisions being discussed behind closed doors are not minor. These are the kinds of decisions that determine whether nations survive, whether wars expand, and whether prophecy is moving into its next stage.
Netanyahu Meets Trump Again — What Does It Mean?
Netanyahu arrived in Washington this week, and it almost felt like “business as usual,” though the stakes are anything but normal. Before meeting directly with President Trump, Netanyahu also met with several key American leaders, including Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Blair House.
Blair House is traditionally where high-level foreign leaders meet and prepare before sitting down with the President, and it’s very likely the focus of these discussions centered on Iran.
Israel has been deeply concerned about any negotiations the United States might enter into with the Iranian regime. Iran has made its position clear: they are willing to talk about their nuclear program—but only the nuclear program.
They refuse to discuss missiles.
They refuse to discuss their proxies.
They refuse to discuss their sponsorship of terrorism across the Middle East.
In other words, Iran wants to negotiate just enough to survive, while keeping all of their real tools of destruction intact.
Israel’s position is very different, and frankly, it is the only position that makes sense. Israel is saying:
No nuclear program.
Shut down the missile program.
End all proxy support.
Stop exporting terrorism throughout the Middle East.
If America’s negotiating position matches Israel’s requirements, then these talks have no realistic chance of success—because Iran will not agree to those terms.
And that is why many analysts believe the real discussion this week was not whether there will be conflict, but when.
No Press Conference — No Announcement — A Longer Meeting
One detail stood out: after the Trump-Netanyahu meeting, there was no press conference and no major announcement. That is unusual. These kinds of meetings often include public statements meant to reassure allies and send warnings to enemies.
Instead, silence.
We also know the meeting went longer than originally planned.
So what does that suggest?
It suggests the conversation was serious, detailed, and likely centered around military timing and preparation.
The U.S. Military Positions for a Potential Strike
President Trump has repeatedly stated he wants negotiations to play out, but he has also been increasing pressure. One of the ways he is doing that is through military escalation.
Trump has indicated he may move another aircraft carrier group into the Middle East to reinforce the USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports now indicate the George H.W. Bush carrier is preparing to deploy, and it will take approximately two weeks to arrive on scene.
That timing is significant—because we are now approaching the end of February, and that may be the real decision point.
We are watching a countdown.
Iran Threatens Massive Retaliation
Iran has not hesitated to declare what they intend to do if war breaks out.
And based on their public statements, Iran does not appear to believe negotiations will succeed. Their words indicate they expect war.
They have said they will:
Launch an all-out regional conflict
Attack Israel directly
Strike U.S. bases throughout the region
Possibly attack Saudi Arabia
Attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz
If the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, oil shipments from the Persian Gulf would be severely impacted, and that would affect the entire world economy.
Iran also stated that during the last conflict they launched hundreds of missiles, but next time they would launch thousands.
Do they have that kind of missile inventory?
Yes, they do.
Most of these would be short-range missiles, which would allow them to launch in far greater numbers. That would make U.S. bases, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf nations extremely vulnerable.
The Deadline: March 1st
President Trump has spoken before about placing a time limit on negotiations with Iran. Based on his earlier statements, March 1st appears to be the deadline.
That means we are now within the final two weeks.
If we are looking for a “decision point,” the end of February fits perfectly.
Israel’s Air Defense and the Coming Missile Storm
One major question is this: if the U.S. attacks Iran, is Israel willing to accept the retaliation that will come?
Israel knows the missiles will come. There will be no surprise element to a strike. Iran is prepared. Their proxies are prepared. Their missile launchers are prepared.
Israel will be hit.
And Netanyahu reportedly was asked directly about this by Trump—would Israel accept the damage?
Netanyahu’s response was essentially:
“Yes, and we will rebuild.”
That is a statement of resolve, and it reflects Israel’s mindset. Israel knows what is at stake. They are not just fighting a political battle—they are fighting for survival.
Israel has also upgraded its multi-layer defense systems:
Arrow System (exo-atmospheric interception)
David’s Sling (endo-atmospheric defense, recently upgraded)
Iron Beam (short-range defense)
Patriot Missile Systems
U.S.-supplied defenses such as THAAD
U.S. naval systems capable of launching SM-series missiles
Israel is preparing for the missile storm.
The U.S. Concern: American Troops in the Region
Another major factor is whether the United States is willing to absorb the attacks on its own bases. This may be the greatest hesitation for President Trump.
He does not want to endanger U.S. troops if negotiations can delay or prevent conflict.
But Iran’s threats suggest they intend to strike American forces regardless if war begins.
If this becomes a full-scale conflict, it will not be limited to Israel.
If War Comes, It Must Be Finished
Israel’s message to America seems to be clear:
If you fight Iran, you must fight until you finish it.
This cannot be a symbolic strike. This cannot be “one-and-done.”
Iran has proven time and again that if they survive, they rebuild. If their leadership remains, they regroup. If their infrastructure remains, they rearm.
So if war comes, it must be overwhelming force—massive strikes, repeated strikes, and a mission completed.
Will the Iranian regime fall?
That is the big question.
And the answer is: we don’t know. But if Iran is struck hard enough, it may tip the scales. There is internal unrest in Iran already. The people are not unified behind the regime, and many of them are waiting for an opportunity.
But it will require decisive action.
Gaza: Trump Says Progress, Hamas Says “No Disarmament”
President Trump has also spoken optimistically about Gaza, claiming progress is being made. And he has been very public in presenting himself as a peacemaker.
But the reality in Gaza is much different.
Hamas has declared they will not disarm.
One Hamas leader even stated, “We have not even received any proposals to disarm,” as though disarmament is something to negotiate after the ceasefire, rather than a requirement.
But that is not what the ceasefire agreement was supposed to mean.
No one will rebuild Gaza while Hamas remains armed.
No serious nation will invest money, manpower, or infrastructure while terrorists still control the territory.
That is why Trump’s efforts to gather international support for Gaza reconstruction are failing.
Hamas Tried to Become the “New Police Force”
Hamas even offered Egypt and Qatar a proposal that some of their men could become the new “police force” in Gaza.
Both Egypt and Qatar rejected it.
That tells you something.
Even Hamas’ closest regional partners know that cannot be allowed.
Hamas must be removed.
Israel Preparing for a New Offensive in Gaza
Israel is now moving troops toward Gaza again, and plans are forming for a renewed offensive.
This time, it is expected to be far more intensive than what we’ve seen before.
Why?
Because this time, Israel may not have to fight with the same hostage limitations.
That means they can respond with greater force and less hesitation. If Hamas presents itself, Israel can strike hard and eliminate them.
My assessment is simple:
Israel must clean out Hamas.
Destroy the tunnels.
Disarm Hamas completely.
And until that happens, Gaza will remain in suffering—because the Palestinian people cannot receive real peace or rebuilding as long as their leadership continues choosing terrorism over surrender.
The Border Issue: The “Yellow Line” May Become Permanent
Another key point: the line Israel currently holds during the ceasefire may become the future border of Gaza.
That is important geopolitically and prophetically.
Borders are changing. Territories are being redefined. And the nations are being forced into decisions that cannot be undone.
A Conservative Messianic Perspective: Watch and Pray
From a Messianic viewpoint, we must recognize what is happening.
The nations are aligning.
Israel is being surrounded.
The Middle East is reaching a boiling point.
We are watching a steady escalation that resembles the pattern of biblical prophecy. We should not be surprised. Yeshua told us to watch, and the prophets warned us that in the last days the nations would rage, and Jerusalem would become a burdensome stone to the whole world.
That does not mean we live in fear—but it does mean we must live awake.
And it means we must pray.
Prayer Request
Please continue to pray for our country and for Israel, for everything happening in the Middle East.
It does appear war may be coming soon, and we need to pray especially for the safety of the men and women serving overseas—our troops, and Israel’s defenders as well.
These are serious days.
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