In Tehran and Washington many pray for End of Times

Poor David Lammy. The foreign secretary appears to be a typically pusillanimous British minister, a speaker of mincing words. He won’t say whether America joining Israel’s attacks on Iran is legal, or even a good idea.

- SAM KILEY

He may be trying to preserve the fantasy of the "special relationship" with the US. But he may also have ducked the question because he doesn't want to get crushed in the IranIsrael battle between biblical enemies Gog and Megog, stampeded by the four horsemen of the apocalypse, or knifed by Shia hashashin as mortal foes rush us all towards the "End of Times".

The attorney general has warned Sir Keir Starmer that Britain becoming involved in US attacks on Iran could be illegal. Lord Richard Hermer told the British government that it was likely to be illegal for the UK to attack Iran. So surely it would be illegal for America to do the same?

But given that Donald Trump doesn't value international law, or domestic legislation, legal niceties over Iran appear to mean nothing.

Seemingly more important to him are Rapture Christians who believe the second coming of Christ is close. They're among his most devoted supporters - 72 per cent of white evangelical Christians support Trump, according to an April poll by Pew. His ambassador to Israel is among the 39 per cent of all Americans (135 million), according to a 2022 Pew Poll, who believe the End of Times is upon us - and that it's a good thing too.

The second Trump administration has become a crucible for the fusion of American evangelical eschatology [belief in the End Times] and Middle Eastern geopolitics. At the heart of this convergence lies a potent belief system that is rooted in a literal interpretation of biblical prophecy.