Iran was named the worst offender for state-sponsored terrorism in the latest report released by the U.S. State Department, on May 30. The report, titled “Country Reports on Terrorism,” drew attention to several nations blacklisted as sponsors of terrorism, Iran being the most active. While the report was issued by the United States, expect more action from Europe. Iran’s expansion throughout 2012 has not gone unnoticed by the Europeans, where the presence of radical Islam was felt in a number of bloody and violent attacks.

Many of the high-profile attacks in Europe last year have been linked to the terrorist group Hezbollah, which is funded and trained in large part by Iran. There was the July 18 bus bombing in Bulgaria that claimed the lives of six people, as well as the arrest on July 7 of the Hezbollah operative in Cyprus who was planning attacks against holidaying Israelis.

The rate at which Iran has been stepping up its efforts is of critical importance. Within the report, Iran received special mention for its 2012 exploits: “The year 2012 was … notable in demonstrating a marked resurgence of Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism.” Iran works far more through terrorist groups than through the use of its own operatives. The report makes mention of the bond between Iran and Hezbollah, saying, “Iran and Hezbollah’s terrorist activity has reached a tempo unseen since the 1990s, with attacks plotted in Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa.” With such expansion, Europe is becoming very concerned.

But Hezbollah wasn’t the only group Iran got involved with in 2012. The report highlighted Iran working through groups such as the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Hamas in Gaza, Kata’ib Hezbollah (also known as Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq), Palestine Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, al Qaeda in Iraq (responsible for 892 deaths in terrorist attacks in 2012), the Arab Revolutionary Brigades and more. These radicals often owe their existence to Iran. That gives Iran leverage to use them for its own purposes. The fact that the majority of these radical groups operate not only in the Middle East but also in Northern Africa shows that Iran is indeed extending its influence. And now they are knocking on Europe’s door.

So far, the European response to terrorism within its borders has been subdued; there have been arrests and prosecutions, but no substantial action. However, Europe has responded resolutely to Iran’s broadening influence in the Middle East and North Africa with troop deployments in Mali, as well as strong support for Iran’s enemies in the Middle East. Iran is well known for stirring up instability and insurrection wherever possible. The report recognizes this, stating: “Iran used the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (irgc-qf) and militant groups to implement foreign-policy goals, provide cover for intelligence operations, and stir up instability in the Middle East.” Europe has no desire for that chaos and instability to cross its borders.

Europe will not allow Iran’s expansion to go unchecked for too long. For example, some European nations sent troops to Mali in early 2013 to quell an uprising against the government. The rebellion was swiftly pushed onto the defensive by European firepower.

And consider all the other European activity in the Middle East and North Africa. Germany has ships in the Mediterranean, blockading weapons from reaching Lebanon; there are soldiers in Turkey, European peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, soldiers in the Sudan, weapons factories in Saudi Arabia, and troops in Somalia training government forces; there are European warships off the coast of both Somalia and Yemen. To the east of Iran in Afghanistan, there are more European troops.

Europe is also arming other nations in an attempt to defend against Iran’s aggressive expansion. Germany sold $21.3 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia, $10.5 billion to Algeria, and $9.3 billion to the United Arab Emirates (where it has an ammunition factory). As editor in chief Gerald Flurry said on the Key of David program titled “The Whirlwind,” “That is startling and ought to make our hair stand on end if we understood the history of Germany, and what it has done in the past. … [The Germans] are thinking of a circular attack on Iran and its allies.”

A German-led Europe is surrounding Iran in preparation for what is prophesied to be a swift “whirlwind” attack. Notice that for yourself in Daniel 11:40. Europe is the “king of the north” and Iran is the head of the “king of the south.” European powers are surrounding Iran in an attempt to contain the Persians’ ever expanding influence. Inevitably, with Iran expanding and Europe containing, there will be conflict. Already we have seen one proxy war waged in North Africa. Mali saw terrorists fighting against French and other European forces. Syria is another example, where Iran supplies fighters and weapons, and the EU has now lifted an arms embargo so it can start arming the rebels.

Iran is a small power compared to Europe, yet it terrorizes the world. Europe will soon grow tired of the constant “pushes” from Iran, and will turn on the belligerent Persian nation with a swiftness that will catch many, including the Iranians, off guard.

If you haven’t already, watch the Key of David episode “The Whirlwind.” It will show you clearly how Europe is positioning itself in the Middle East for a future attack on Iran. Right now, Iran is expanding. It is funding terrorist operations across the Middle East, Africa and into Europe. This brings it into contact with the prophesied king of the north, the German-led European Union. Watch as the “push” from the king of the south continues right up until the king of the north decides enough is enough, and stops Iran’s expansion once and for all.