2021 Circular Letters

Thirty Second Anniversary of The Prophecy Letter

An eTPL32 Circular Letter

By H. E. Lafferty, Editor and Publisher

As the Editor and Publisher of eTPL, The (electronic) Prophecy Letter, I am announcing that today, Wednesday, June 16th, is our thirty second anniversary.

We feel deeply privileged to have been given the strength and good health to carry on the functions of our mission since June, 1990, when we began this effort with the first issue of TPL in print copy.

That method of dissemination continued until around 2012 when we were compelled to go to the World Wide Web, which had by then developed into a vehicle that would allow us to contact anyone connected to it worldwide – and at minimal cost.

At that point we dropped all charges for the content of the newsletter having produced it for several years at a break-even cost point of about $10 per year per subscriber.

Our mailing list has fluctuated over all those years, of course, and we continue adding “subscribers” freely.

Currently we absorb all incurred operational costs such as supply of printed literature as requested (when we can), of paper reprints of articles for those who request them and have no access to the Internet, of computer replacement and maintenance, of printing supplies and inks, and other miscellaneous costs.

If you have friends or acquaintances who might be interested in our content, we invite you to submit their names and email addresses. We will happily add them to our List and they will receive every dispatch that we send, God willing.

As of today, you will note that all our dispatches will be marked by the logo, eTPL32 as noting our latest anniversary, which, as noted, is today. 

The date is also the 75th anniversary of the Editor’s baptism into Christ on June 16, 1946, in the living waters of Cove Creek at the Bible School in Martinville, Arkansas.

Change is Coming

At the present time, our Google website is being changed profoundly in a few short weeks and the present site will no longer be available to readers.

But our webmaster is currently working on the transition and should have the new website available before the Google-enforced deadline is reached, God willing. The new web page should be available at the same URL as previously. If there are changes we will give everyone adequate notice.

At the outset of this venture in 1990, we should not have been willing to entertain the thought that there might still be over thirty years of history yet to be fulfilled before the Second Coming of our LORD.

All those years have been absolutely crammed with important historical events – significant steps forward into the future – at the same time, a seemingly interminable length of time in our expectation of the event of the ages.

We have never suffered a shortage of relevant news events pointing inevitably forward to our Great Consolation that is surely at the door.

Many wonderfully talented contributors have added their insight and wisdom to our databank (website) as they have come to our attention, for which we give them thanks.

Our opportunity for publishing an accessible newsletter was opened to us originally by the Gospel Publicity League – our close associates in Australia – who offered to assist in creating our website and maintaining it. We inherited the GPL website at the demise of its Editor and Publisher, the beloved Charles French of New South Wales.

Since that time we have “lost” the GPL website due to a seeming mis-step (?) by Google, and Google claims it still exists (somewhere) but cannot be retrieved!

It will be a monumental task to restore the website and will incur a great deal of labor and funding. We are working on that solution as we have opportunity. Your prayers for its success are requested, as is your continued support of The Prophecy Letter. Thank you...

We are continually grateful for your heartfelt expressions of good wishes and appreciation for the efforts that we offer freely. These are offered in the spirit of Malachi 3:16 – Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 

May our association be continued until there is “time no more,” and our Savior shall have returned from His place at His Father’s right hand, and the books are opened and the resurrected and assembled responsible multitude of believers are given a just and compassionate hearing before our Master at His Judgment Bema.

We may utterly depend upon His loving compassion for the best outcome for each of our dear brothers and sisters.

Therefore, as the weighty events of these last days of Gentile dominance seem to drone on and on, we exhort each of you today in the words of our Master found in Luke 21:28: And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

<HEL> ~850 words. An eTPL32 Circular Letter. June 16, 2021.

Announcing (and Recommending) a Boycott by Believers

An eTPL32 Circular Letter

June 11th, 2021. The Prophecy Letter has carefully avoided any appearance of taking part in the ubiquitous partisan politics that swirls around the nation today.

But at this moment we are about to announce a firm stance against an international marketing firm known as Burger King. Yes ... we mean the fast food outlet with tens of thousands of stores both here and abroad.

As of this date, June 11 2021, my family will no longer patronize any Burger King outlet for any reason.

The rationale for our decision is that Burger King has just announced that it will donate forty cents from the sale of every chicken sandwich to HRC – the Human Rights Campaign – the largest lobbying group for LGBTQ “rights” in the U.S., based in Washington, DC.

Our firm commitment is that we will not knowingly patronize a firm that has essentially slapped us as well as every customer in the face, pridefully and defiantly announcing its firm and public commitment to support the ungodly practices of the LBGTQ crowd.

In positioning its marketing platform, Burger King has also struck out at one of its main competitors – the Chick-Fil-A Corporation – a popular firm which produces a wonderful chicken sandwich also.

There is no longer a “choice” in our conscience: we choose Chick-Fil-A hands down.

One reason for that decision is that the Chick-Fil-A Corporation solidly upholds its “Christian” principles by donating to ANTI-LBGTQ causes and has done so openly since 2011, although it has been forced to modify its donations to a less obtrusive level.

When its founder, S. Truett Cathy, passed away, its current owner and CEO, Dan Cathey inherited the company along with his brother Bubba in 2014. The brothers vowed to continue their financial support of anti-LGBTQ legislation and practices although their structure of giving has been modified recently. As far as we can determine, they do not support pro-LBGTQ organizations although pressure has been brought to bear upon them to do just that.

When we long for a delicious chicken sandwich in the future there is now only one vender in our purview: Chick-Fil-A. So long to Burger King forever, and to its tainted chicken sandwiches – and its delightful French Toast Sticks...

We apologize if our firm stand against this ungodly activity upsets anyone (maybe some think we should “let sleeping dogs lie?”) but we cannot resist a firm announcement such as the above as rebuttal to the forcefully and willfully stated position of a public business issued in such an overbearing and spiteful way.

In our opinion, the days of such liberty are numbered, but that decision is not ours to make. It is, however, ours to uphold in principle.

We therefore recommend that our readers avoid Burger King from this day forward.

One final note: If we “disappear” from the www it will be because Google took umbrage to our message and erased us. Let’s pray that that does not happen.

Signed, H. E. Lafferty, Editor and Publisher of eTPL, The (electronic) Prophecy Letter. Circulated June 11, 2021.

Men’s Hearts failing them for Fear

"Men's hearts failing them for fear,

and for looking after those things

which are coming on the earth:

for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:26

We believe that the concept has been well illustrated this day as tens of thousands of protesters stormed the US capitol building, asserting at least tacit aggression against the bodies of government ensconced there – the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the Vice President of the US, and other officers of government such as Speaker of the House and others. Such an assault has not been seen since the British overcame the capital (1814) during the War of 1812 and burned the White House.

Protesters milled about the broad plazas of the capitol and scaled the walls of the capitol building and broke windows, entering the building in their zeal to make their voices of protest heard against the certification of the presidential election that was being accomplished in those halls.

Tear gas was deployed in the capitol building this afternoon in Statuary Hall which is located just outside the House of Representatives, and shots were fired inside the Capitol. Defenders of the House of Representatives were shown pointing pistols at the faces of protesters peering through the broken glass in the entry door to the House.

At 4 p.m., the protesters seem to be beginning to disperse. One person who was shot has been taken to a local hospital where she died of her wounds. Protesters are being shown wandering about inside the Senate chamber, poking into desks and aimlessly investigating the premises, littering and trashing the premises. A bearded protester was pictured sitting in Nancy Pelosi’s office chair in her private office with his feet on her desk!  It is an incredible scene...

This fiasco is clearly a reflection of a critical breakdown of security by Capitol Police. Fourteen hundred National Guard troops had been summoned but did not arrive for several hours. A large group of black-clad officers reportedly from Maryland arrived a few moments later and marched into the crowd in an ordered line of perhaps 100 officers. The clearing of intruders had begun.

This breakdown of order is probably a reflection of a new “normal” as frustration over perceived lawlessness increases, and as the crowds of protesters are fed more reasons to believe they have been defrauded. And overall, the nations are increasing perplexed ... the sea and the waves roar and heave. Men’s hearts fail them for fear of the pandemic which the creation is enduring, and the helplessness with which its solution is fleetingly sought by whole governments and societies.

But there is a bright spot in all this turmoil and uncertainty; it is that “then shall ye see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” These words embody our Consolation – the solace and spiritual reward that we seek and have sought for many years in patient waiting for His appearance and Kingdom.

Let us continue to speak to one another of these precious expectations, dear brethren, and humbly accept the great honor of being maintained in the Book of Life – indelibly written there in faith and in the love of the brethren who hold like faith. Our perseverance will not be disregarded if we hold fast in exuberant faith and deep trust ... for the Plan will out – will come to pass and be executed with blinding speed and with incredible thoroughness when the set time has arrived.

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20, 21.   

<HEL> ~650 words. An eTPL31 Analysis. Circulated January 6, 2021.

New Light on “the Fullness of the Gentiles” of Romans 11: 25

An eTPL31 Analysis

Sometimes our thoughts seem to get “stuck” on a certain concept and we have difficulty understanding even relatively simple concepts of scripture.

Perhaps some of you fellow students of God’s word have had a niggling, unanswered question as did I for a long time...

An example is the writing of Paul, in Romans 11:25 – “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”

That ending phrase which marks the end of “the blindness” of the children of Israel ... at some recognizable anniversary (“UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”) has been an enigma to me personally. That accomplishment or event, whatever it should be, seemed to indicate a clear-cut end to Israel’s “blindness” in some way.

I have thought about the phrase in various contexts, including: “Is there a certain number of Gentiles who are intended to learn God’s true plan of salvation before the Jews can come to a knowledge of the truth” thus ending their blindness?

It seemed to be impossible that that was the true meaning of it, but what other answer was there? It just didn’t make much sense to my finite mind!

But just this morning, while reading Romans, I was struck by a new connection – one which I had not even considered.

That critical connection that revealed the “fullness of the Gentiles” to my understanding was Luke 21:24 – “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

There it was ... the simple solution to the meaning of the fullness of the Gentiles. It had nothing to do with my earlier supposition that it had to do with a number of Gentiles coming to the knowledge of God’s Truth – which, in my own mind, probably meant their recognition of Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah.

Instead, it had to do with an event which related to the physical return of the Jews to their future inheritance! And after all, a critical look at the phrase in context shows that to be its true value – showing that the down-treading of Jerusalem and its recovery by its rightful owners had to do with a period of TIME – not numbers – and that that period of time was the end of the “times of the Gentiles” as well as the end of their “blindness” in some sense!

It was not a matter of their coming to a true understanding at all, but a matter of their physical return that should mark a change in their sea state ... and that is should not only mark the end of their “blindness” but that it should come at the time of their return to their land and their reestablishment of their polity in it!

It had never occurred to me that the ending of some form of “blindness of Israel” (the Jews) should be closely associated with their return to the land, and to the acquisition of their capital city, Jerusalem. But there was a simple solution laid out for my understanding.

In the Almighty’s mind and intent, Israel’s return to their Land marks a certain end to their blindness in a palpable sense ... not that it brings to them complete enlightenment (that is coming later).

In the words of the Prophet Micah (5: 3, 4), our Father stated his intention to “give them up” (abandon them) UNTIL a certain time – at which time, THEN the remnant of Israel should “return unto (the land of) the children of Israel.

It has proven so to be from the historical outworking of the prophecy, so it cannot be gainsaid!

The text, in context, reads as follows: The “Judge” of Israel is smitten (Jesus crucified). Then the prophet writes ... Micah 5:3 – “Therefore (as a result of their “smiting” Him) will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he (that is, Israel) shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.”

The text’s construction shows that the latter result shall be obtained as a sequence to the earlier events – not that they should both be fulfilled concurrently, a feature that is so often the practice of the prophets’ forecasts.

And the conclusion we must draw is that in some way that RETURN by the Jews to their Land, marks an end to their “blindness” – of whatever that consists.

Our immediate thought is that their restoration of their Land indicates the end of their endless wandering – their endlessly, blindly seeking shelter among the hostile nations of the earth into which the Almighty had banished them, lastly in 70 AD after they had rejected and had even opted to have slain the clearly prophesied Messiah which He had sent to them.

It would be at that time in history – and perhaps unknown to them at that particular juncture (but would later become apparent as a landmark case of fulfillment on so many levels of understanding) the exceeding importance of that long-awaited possibility of their return to their inheritance.

On several levels of appreciation the return of Israel to its homeland is one of the most remarkable achievements of all history – that a people could be exiled from their land for 2,000 years but long deeply for their return to it on every one of those endless days (praying each day to be “next year in Jerusalem”); that a people scattered so thoroughly as the Jews were could retain their identity; their language (at least among the rabbis and scholars); their separation from the nations among which they were scattered; and their consistent desire to return to their land for all those centuries ... and that their desolated land should sink so low in quality and status as to be unrecognizable as the former land of milk and honey, and yet should be restored to high cultivation and settlement by a blessed, industrious, determined society of His people...

This unique re-establishment of Israel as a nation therefore was placed in motion as the “times of the Gentiles” ended in 1917, with the overthrow and ousting of the desolating Turk – the Ottoman overlords which had held the Land in thrall for eight Jubilee periods – from 1517AD to 1917AD, but was now driven back into its own territory (Anatolia) where it came to its end a few years later.

She who was to bring forth turned out to be the World Zionist Organization – the human institution that, under divine guidance, literally birthed the State of Israel only thirty-one years later ... and recovered its eternal capital nineteen years following!

Thus ended a phase of the “blindness” that had happened to Israel in part – a peculiarly stated fact of which this student had not become cognizant for many puzzling years!  

<HEL> ~1250 words. An eTPL31 Analysis. Published as a Circular Letter, October 28, 2020 

Times and Seasons of the End

An eTPL31 Circular Letter

Although spring seems now to have arrived, the oppressive winter droned on and on. Repetitive snow and ice storms lashed at portions of the nation that rarely see the subzero temperatures that the named storms Uri and Viola have brought, extending all the way to the Gulf of Mexico – the south coast.

Some observers I have read have connected these severe storms – the worst in an hundred years – with the Biden administration and its change of national policy in the Mideast, particularly with regard to Israel and the so-called “two state solution.”

Is it possible that the United States has the attention of the Almighty in this affair? We cannot be absolutely sure, but it seems significant that winter storms Uri and Viola have been extremely severe, and that they bracketed President’s Day in the U. S. Together they damaged the U.S. alone to the extent of $40 billion, and cost several lives.

It may be significant that Uri means “My light, My fire” (Violet means “purple”). The fiery aspect of the name seems appropriate in that the damage done by Uri was fully as destructive and expensive as wildfires can be. Millions were without electricity, heat, water, and food ... for days. More than twenty people died in the storms. Weather records were smashed going back 100 years or more.

The entire country has been severely affected since the beginning of February, adding to the stress already in place from the coronavirus pandemic that has been in existence for over a year and the calamitous arguments for the urgent need for further stringent measures against the spread of the pandemic to be continued.

People all over the world are sick to death of the restrictions and the disruptions of life, profession, school and leisure.

Yet, some will protest that anything unusual his happening, “... saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.’”  2Peter 3:4

Nonetheless, we believe we certainly can discern from these obvious events that the world is near its terminal point of existence as such. “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.” 1Thessalonians 5:4. 

Ye, brethren, are intimately familiar with the signs of the times – are aware that the current affairs of this world conform perfectly to those foretold to consist at the time of Christ’s coming back to the earth, and the termination of “things” as we have known them...

As human beings we are always anxious to “get things done” in a hurry.

But such is not necessarily the way of the LORD.

To that point He has made known our need for patience through the words of the writer to the Hebrews, in which the specific theme of the Return of the LORD is the subject: Hebrews 10: 35 - Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 

How similar these words are to other comparable exhortative references in scripture!

Marginal notes on that verse necessarily will include a reference extremely similar to it as written by the Prophet Habakkuk who had a similar complaint as to the static nature of recompense: in Habakkuk 1: 3 -  “... spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.”

It seemed to Habakkuk that it was taking much too long for the LORD to bring about a settlement of their evil state of affairs. His exasperation shows in his plaint that “judgment doth never go forth!”

Habakkuk’s complaint is similar to ours in these last days of Gentile sovereignty over the earth.

He sees not only the then-prevalent wrongs and the iniquity but also the volumes of fulfilled Bible prophecy of their solution, and believes that the Almighty must rectify them forthwith.

We see the signs of our times and know by them that they indicate the imminent return of the Master from the heavens ... and also wish for our Father’s active intervention.

Why is it not happening?

Obviously, that was not (and is not) the will of the LORD in either instance, for after another outburst of indignation and impatience by the prophet in Habakkuk 2: 1, in which he proclaims that he has stubbornly “(stood) upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved (have argued with Him!),” the Almighty gives His rebuttal...

As then commanded, the prophet writes the rebuttal that he is given to that complaint: Habakkuk 2:2 – “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run (rush speedily forward) that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

It is yet for an appointed time!

The Almighty is saying to the impatient prophet, “I know your frustrations ... your anxiety ... your annoyance at the seeming delay; but the fulfillment of the vision is NOT actually tarrying (delaying) as it is yet for an APPOINTED TIME.”

He is gently reminding Habakkuk that the prophet is not privy to that appointed time just as we are not privy to His intentions in our own critical times – but that He has it all under control. When HIS time for its termination comes it shall come and shall no longer seem to tarry!

Another marginal reference on that passage in Hebrews 10 should include Isaiah 26:20 – “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:”

As universally advised even at the outset of what was about to become pandemic, authorities nearly worldwide advised sheltering in place – staying at home from work and school as well as social and religious occasions – and self-isolating in order to curtail the transmission of the coronavirus. We have personally obeyed that mandate since February 2020, for a total of thirteen months in comparative isolation.

We thought our tenure here should have terminated by now – a conviction that stems from being unaware of our Father’s overall Plan!

Patience – and firm conviction – is therefore gently but firmly advised...

And yet another marginal reference would include the words of Isaiah, who writing of the time of Israel’s restoration, penned these words directly from the mind of YHVH. These phrases also entertain the uncertain element of the timing of events... Isaiah 60: 21 “ Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.”

Meanwhile, patience and forbearance are imperative ... is crucial to our best spiritual outcome. Be still, says He! Behold the salvation of the LORD!

Finally, a fourth reference will suffice to support our thesis: that events are proceeding along a divine track, the intimate details of which the elect are not privileged to know in advance – but whose confidence in such a process is absolutely essential for their reassurance and their wellbeing!

That quality is rightly termed FAITH – innate belief in the overall process and its certain outcome – all in the LORD’s good time: the advice was penned by the LORD Jesus’ brother in his epistle:

James 5:7 – “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain (cf., Joel 2: 23!). 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.”

All these ancillary references indicate some degree of uncertainty of the exact timing of the coming of the Lord to perform His appointed work upon the world ... and for the benefit of Believers who wait more or less patiently.

Our intention is not to bring anxiety or undue concern or impatience, but to promote an atmosphere of trust and tranquility, and of deeper conviction, as we wait ... and watchfulness in all, toward the maintenance of a trusting and loving brotherhood.

 Our concern is that our brethren be comforted and supported in this uncertain, unstable time of the end of Gentile domination – just prior to the Advent of our LORD from heaven.

The true brethren of Christ are certainly acutely aware of the overall Plan in its essential details. Their expectation is that Jerusalem be made a joy in all the earth, and that its King reign supreme over all the earth...

Bearing strongly upon that principle are the wonderfully comforting and informative phrases of the twelfth chapter of Hebrews. These blessings come to mind as a comforting closing thought ... as a terse reminder of the stark contrast between the brightness and hope of the New Order as compared to the Old Order of all things.

The writer of the book of Hebrews succinctly sets in juxtaposition the historical prospects of the Law versus the prospective Salvation in Christ as being parallel to our expectation of newness of life in contrast to the present tribulations of the frailty of mankind.

Heb 12:18  For ye are not come unto the mount (Mt. Sinai) that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

Heb 12:19  And the sound of a trumpet (shofar), and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

Heb 12:20  (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

Heb 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion (Mt. Zion), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Heb 12:28  Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Heb 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

        <HEL> ~2,000 words.  An eTPL31 Circular Letter.  Published March 28, 2021.

Severe Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Facility at Natanz

An eTPL31 Circular Letter

Boasters seem always to get their just dues sooner or later. Iran has been boasting about its deliberate violations of its terms of the JCPOA nuclear agreement, and had just announced that it is beginning to install banks of IR-9 Centrifuges in its Natanz facility, which supposedly will enrich uranium hexafluoride at fifty times the former standards – a remarkable advancement.

But suddenly darkness descended: some kind of an attack had caused the plant to lose all its electricity generating capacity as well as its backup systems. Sudden uncontrolled shut-downs of centrifuges are extremely harmful to the delicate machines, and this sudden loss of electricity, we thought, probably did great damage to the entire facility.

Our earlier report in Splinters 88 contained only the first sketchy details of an explosion of some sort at Iran’s premier nuclear enrichment facility, possibly setting back Iran’s enrichment program by months.

The Jerusalem Post this morning reported much more fully on the disruption which is really interesting. The new centrifuges were started up on Saturday. The disruption happened on Sunday morning!

The nature of the incident was an enormous explosion which destroyed both the primary and the backup electricity generation plant at the facility, severing cables to the outside world and completely darkening the underground plant buried fifty meters below the surface to protect it from aerial attacks.

Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani, the former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, told the Tasnim News Agency that the source of the blast was found to be a large amount of explosives that had been smuggled into the facility in a desk that had been sent abroad for some sort of modification and that it returned to the plant “with an unsuspected 300 pounds of explosives hidden inside it.”

The huge bomb was equipped with a device that allowed it to be set off remotely.

It appears that the timing was perfect ... and caused maximum damage!

Alireza Zakani, head of Iran’s Parliament Research Center, announced in a television interview on Tuesday that “thousands of centrifuges” had been destroyed, damaging “most of the enrichment facilities.”

 One may be sure that the damage was much greater than admitted.

The operation was so cleverly planned that it drew praise from Mr. Davani, who said “... that such an operation takes years,” and that “the design of the enemy was very beautiful.”

The Iranian Parliament demanded that enrichment be immediately increased to the 60% level – the highest goal yet stated by the Iranians.

But it will be quite a while before enrichment may be resumed – at least nine months by first estimate...

The blast underlines the increasing tensions between Israel and Iran as several attacks have been perpetrated on both Iranian and Israeli ships in international waters. Recent reports say that Israel has hit dozens of Iranian ships in the past few years. Last week a giant Israel cargo ship was damaged by explosions; then early this morning a second Israeli vessel was hit apparently by an Iranian missile in the vicinity of the Straits of Hormuz outlet to the Persian Gulf.

Iran is still smarting after the ingenious assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist Dr. Fakhrizadeh, in which a remotely controlled pickup truck equipped with a remotely controlled machine gun killed the scientist and members of his convoy after his group was halted by two men on a motorcycle and a stalled truck, and the scientist was lured out of his car.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has warned Iran several times just during the last few days that Israel would defend itself against Iranian threats, and flatly stated that “Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon.”  <>JPost

<HEL> ~600 words. An eTPL31 Circular Letter. Published April 14, 2021.