For Iran war is essential for the appearing of their antichrist Mahdi
Iran sees war (especially against Israel) as essential for the emergence of their end-times religious leader, the Mahdi (who is in many ways the equivalent of the end-times antichrist of the Bible). They depict their Mahdi as an islamic religious leader who will provide a divine intervention on behalf of his islamic servants in a time of chaos in the end-times of this world. Iranian Twelver Shi’ite Islam holds the Mahdi as a crucial messianic figure. He is believed to return during a period of chaos to establish justice and defeat tyranny. This belief significantly shapes Iran’s political and military strategies. (AI) In particular, this refers to the chaos ensuing from conflict with Israel whom they seek to eventually totally destroy. So, if Iran is seeking for their Mahdi to appear in these days (according to their Twelver-shia theology), then they must continue in warfare; any peace agreement or genuine ceasefire (especially involving Israel) would be counterproductive to his appearance. It is clear that Iran’s extremist theology must dominate Iran’s current planning goals; therefore, despite their rhetoric and public mouthing-off, Iran will seek war without any option for ceasefire or peace agreement, especially against Israel until Israel is annihilated. 

Likewise, many in Israel today (especially hardline Israelis) believe that the suffering of extreme warfare is necessary to provoke divine intervention from God as their ultimate protector. Many believe that the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30) – when God declares Israel to be terminal without any cure because of their iniquity – is required before their Messiah returns to miraculously intervene and rescue them. Hardline Israelis often invoke religious beliefs to support their military actions. This perspective is prevalent among certain political leaders and factions within Israel. They believe that their actions are not only justified but also divinely sanctioned. (AI) The idea that Israel requires war to invoke divine intervention is a perspective held by some individuals. They believe that conflict may lead to a situation where God steps in to protect or rescue Israel. This view often references biblical narratives where divine assistance follows acts of war or struggle. (AI) Not only do they seek conflict to invoke their God to divine retribution, they are also actively seeking a qualified red heifer to sacrifice as a prerequisite to the building of the Third Temple in Jerusalem. The rebuilding of the Third Temple is closely linked to the coming of the Messiah. According to Jewish tradition, the appearance of a qualified red heifer is seen as a sign that the Messiah’s arrival is imminent. (AI) The heifer must be completely red without spots or blemishes, and must never have been yoked or put to labour. Many in Israel today would do whatever they think is necessary to hasten the appearance of their Messiah, even if it meant risking the total destruction of Israel.

Both Iran (as the hardline proponents of the alleged coming Mahdi) and Israel (in seeking the necessary conditions for the return of their Messiah) may be actively seeking warfare and its ensuing chaos. But, while mainly hardline Israelis seek warfare as a means to the return of their Messiah, it is the religious policy of the nation of Iran (as set out by their extremist religious leaders) that if their Mahdi is to return, it must be via extreme warfare and suffering. In particular, such conflict especially must involve that which leads to the destruction of Israel. Therefore, while they seek the total annihilation of Israel, the return of their Mahdi has as much to do with the actual chaos of the warfare itself rather than simply the end of Israel.

Thus the policy of the Twelver-shia religious leaders of Iran is to do what they believe it takes for the return of their Mahdi. To this end they will seek war and its ensuing chaos which they believe will prepare the world for their 12^th and final religious leader (thus the name Twelver-shia). For Iran, a genuine peace deal or compromise is counterproductive to the return of the Mahdi; only the chaos of war will cause him to appear. Note that He is believed to return during a period of chaos to establish justice and defeat tyranny. This belief significantly shapes Iran’s political and military strategies. (AI) So, no matter what Iran says regarding peace discussions, they do not see peace as an option. Only the chaos of war will suffice. The Mahdi is the one they claim will establish a global islamic caliphate under sharia law. The Mahdi is believed in Islamic eschatology to be a messianic figure who will lead Muslims and establish a global Islamic caliphate before the Day of Judgment. (AI) All the world will be turned to Islam during his rule (according to their theology). It is generally supposed that all who do not submit to Islam will be destroyed as infidels. Twelver Shi’ism teaches that those who do not accept its beliefs may face severe consequences, including destruction, particularly during the return of the Mahdi. (AI)

Therefore if these are the end-times, then Iran’s goal will be to escalate the war in the middle-east, especially against Israel. It is best to ignore much of what they might say because they do excel at lies and deception; this is part of their theology to those outside their belief group. They may talk of ceasefires which they call hudna (that is, temporary and strategic ceasefires for the purpose of regrouping for further fighting) and then use the time to put new warfare plans in place. Lying to others is acceptable, even required, as long as the others are not of their Twelver-shia beliefs. Their words of promised peace cannot be trusted and their ceasefires only serve to prepare themselves for further conflict. All deception (including for warfare) is not only permissible but also required if it leads to the appearing of their Mahdi. Whatever it takes for his appearing is the underlying reasoning for all their current planning especially to do with warfare and particularly with Israel.

Note that in islam (particularly in Shia beliefs) it is considered legitimate to conceal the truth (particularly from non-believers) either by silence or omission. Truth is only required to be spoken to those who know the truth, that is, others of the same theology. This legitimate lying is known as kitmān. This teaching not only permits but requires its followers to protect their theology by avoiding the truth where such truth might compromise their actions.

Currently Iran appears to be leaving Israel (the “little satan”) alone; no serious warfare has been declared against them for some time; it has mainly focused upon surrounding islamic states (most of whom they declare to be too lax in their islamic beliefs) and, of course, USA (which they call the “big satan” or “great satan”). However, despite appearing to be so, the destruction of Israel and its resulting chaos will continue to be foremost in their planning, noting that deception (kitmān) is a key aspect of their warfare against Israel. They might appear to be leaving Israel alone but this is, like much of their decision-making, a deception. Therefore, expect Iran (probably with their allies such as Russia, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia and the terrorist proxies of Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen) to lash out at Israel sometime soon.

Regardless of appearances, Iran (with their allies) will eventually (and probably very soon) declare full scale war on Israel including troops invasion. If Iran were to leave Israel alone, then their Mahdi may not appear; this is an unacceptable option. Their warfare with other surrounding nations is largely a smokescreen, another of their deceptions. (With Iran one must firstly always look for all possible deceptions before accepting their word as truth.) It is the chaos of warfare with Israel that will best lead to the Mahdi’s appearance, the one they believe will lead them to rule in a global islamic caliphate; therefore any talk or appearance of leaving Israel alone is kitmān. Other nations may be turned to Islam, but Israel won’t, and Iran knows this; it must be destroyed before the caliphate can become global. Iran’s Twelver-shia theology will accept the eventual annihilation of Israel as their only option here, no matter what it might appear like.

Of course, the Mahdi is the equivalent of the biblical antichrist. The antichrist, too, will promise to lead the world into an era of peace, justice and prosperity. He will take seven years to attempt to rule over a one-world government; then Armageddon arrives with the destruction (by Christ the Messiah) of the antichrist (the beast of Revelation) and all his armies who have declared war on Jerusalem and God’s people Israel. Likewise, the Mahdi (another name for the beast) will suffer the same fate. There will be no global islamic caliphate, but a millennial rule of peace by Christ the Messiah.

Revelation 19:20-21 – And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. 
Revelation 20:4 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

Footnote:

It must be noted that ultimately it will be the sovereign God of the Bible who will determine exactly when Iran and allies attack and invade Israel. Ezekiel 38 says a lot about this current middle-east conflict; and in Ezekiel 38:4 it proclaims that God will put hooks in their jaws and draw (or drag) them into battle against Israel. This will occur when God says it will. Iran may have an extreme hatred for Israel (and God will use this hatred to draw them into battle against His people Israel) but Iran no longer controls the agenda. God will use Iran’s hatred of Israel to ultimately destroy the armies (mostly islamic) who attack and invade Israel (Ezekiel 39:1-16). The God of the Bible has spoken and Iran cannot overrule His prophecies.