Why is North Korea issuing threats and provoking conflict with the West? What might Iran do if the protests taking place continue to increase and intensify by its citizens? The answer to both questions is one and the same . . . "WAR". Think with me; the people of North Korea are suffering greatly and continually with hunger and hardship. There is a quiet but growing spirit of resentment and rebellion toward the oppressive communist government. In order to maintain status quo and control, the people must be distracted from their misery and their anger directed toward something else. The answer . . . create conflict with the United States and shift the blame for North Korea's problems from the government to the United States. Even if it means war and thousands of deaths, to these evil communist leaders, it is "worth it" if it keeps them in power.
Think with me again. The younger population of Iran has a desire for more economic opportunity and prosperity. Although Iran is rich in oil revenues, most of this wealth is hoarded by its religious fanatics in leadership, and/or funded to terrorist organizations. The bottom line is most of the people in Iran live in poverty. This has created a resentment and a rebellion among many of the young, and now given opportunity by this fraudulent election, they are rising-up. Understand, the protesters are not just upset about the election, but their whole way of life. The hard-lined, extremists that rule Iran are likewise looking for a diversion to distract the people and re-direct their hostility. The answer is "Israel". Why not provoke Israel into a conflict(indirectly through terrorist organizations acting as proxies or directly through threats and antagonisms)! The discontent in Iran, while great against the government, is far greater toward Israel. Should Iran find itself in "war" with Israel, the protest would go away and rebellion would die down. Even if it cost thousands of people dying in battle, that's a small price to pay to keep things "in-check" in Iran.
Perhaps this kind of thinking seems "far-fetched", but it's really not. Throughout history, it has been a strategy proven to be "tried & true" by oppressive regimens seeking to distract their populace. Provoke another nation, blame them for your problems, start a conflict, call all "dissenters" traitors, and direct all hostility towards the enemy, and away from yourself. North Korea is attempting this now; Iran may try it later.
In closing, the prophetic significance of this would be to push North Korea and China together, and likewise, Russia and Iran together. Both of these nations (China & Russia) would no doubt intervene in some way - large or small - should North Korea or Iran find themselves in war. This would greatly accelerate the formation of the Eastern coalition led by China that will be prominent in the "Last Days" (Revelation 9 and 16) and the alliance of Russia and Iran (Ezekiel 38) just prior to, or soon after the rapture of the church.
Again . . . just thinking!