Iran has been busy. While shuttle-diplomacy and constant back-and-forth meetings behind closed doors have taken a backseat to the news of beheadings and rockets in other parts of the Middle East, Iran has been arming.

One part of the country in particular has experienced a spike in military activity. This region is the hinge upon which a vast part of the world’s industry swings: the Strait of Hormuz.

The Trumpet has written extensively on this crucial sea lane situated on Iran’s southwestern coastline. With 40 percent of global seaborne oil traded through the 34-mile-wide strait, its geopolitical significance cannot be overstated.

So when Iran beefs up its military presence along the shores and in the waters of the strait, we need to sit up and take notice.

Bloomberg published an article on August 20 that cited an unofficial Pentagon report stating Iran has continued to build up its forces in the area, while toning down the rhetoric often spouted on national tv and abroad. In effect, as the Bloomberg title states, “Iran speaks more softly but keeps building bigger sticks.”

The Pentagon report stated that Iran’s coastline along the strait is bristling with anti-ship missiles and a host of attack vessels, including submarines. This should concern any nation that sails tankers through the strait.

Since the Strait of Hormuz is so narrow, a few sunken tankers and a couple sea mines could close the sea lane for a considerable time—enough time to make oil prices skyrocket and industry throughout the world come to a screeching halt.

According to Bloomberg, the Pentagon report stated that the buildup was designed to “deter an attack, survive an initial strike, retaliate against an aggressor and force a diplomatic solution.”

Certainly the threat of losing access to 40 percent of the world’s seaborne oil is enough to give any nation pause before striking at Iran. The sheer volume of Iran’s arsenal now standing watch at the strait means any such strike would have to be thorough and sudden. If even one missile battery remained, Iran could sink multiple oil tankers and effectively close down the strait. This possibility makes a diplomatic solution to any situation seem far more appealing than a military one.

For any kind of military attack to be carried out against Iran, the attacking nation would need to be desperate or very fearful.

Since Iran has promised that its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes and will not be used to create a nuclear bomb, the potential danger to Europe and the world will not transpire. Right?

But if this is true, why is Tehran arming Hormuz and seemingly preparing to defend itself from invasion?

Could it be because it actually is seeking to build nuclear weapons? Iran knows that if it does acquire the bomb, other nations may respond aggressively. That is why we see the buildup in the Strait of Hormuz today.

Knowing the strategic importance of the strait, Iran will exploit it to discourage other nations from interfering. Even if the recent nuclear negotiations have temporarily slowed its program, it is making necessary precautions to ensure that in the future, when it does go after nuclear weapons, the world will be less likely to act.

But “less likely” is certainly the phrase to use. Because one nation will act. You can read this in Daniel 11:40. Here God says through the Prophet Daniel that “at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind ….”

In a January 2012 article titled “Europe, Iran and Bible Prophecy Come Alive in the Strait of Hormuz,” Trumpet columnist Brad Macdonald wrote:

Consider the participants in this clash. They are the “king of the south”—the armies of radical Islam led by Iran—and the “king of the north”—the armies of a united Europe led by Germany and the Vatican. You can prove this by reading our booklet The King of the South.Notice the word “push” in Daniel 11:40. In Hebrew, it means to push at, or to wage war. Think about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, its threat to close down Hormuz … The primary goal of Iranian foreign policy is to “push” and provoke, to aggravate and infuriate.This prophecy was written 2,500 years ago—and it describes the present situation in the Persian Gulf perfectly!

Iran is building up its military in the strait. This buildup is part of Iran’s “pushy” foreign policy. Iran is pushing, and it is about to push even harder as it scrambles for nuclear weapons. However, the response Iran is anticipating is nothing compared to what it will actually receive. For more about where Iran’s pushy foreign policy will lead, read Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry’s article “The Whirlwind Prophecy.” Also, request a free copy of our booklet The King of the South.

Keep watching the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow strip of water is more than just a sea lane. It is an insight into Daniel 11:40.