Nostradamus ‘predicted Iran war’ and what comes next is terrifying

A YouTuber has claimed the 16th-century mystic Nostradamus predicted the modern conflict involving Iran, arguing that several of his cryptic prophecies may also hint at worse to come

The 16th-century mystic Nostradamus predicted the Iran war and hinted at something even more terrifying could happen next, it’s been claimed.

YouTuber Donovan Dread shared the theory in a video analysing the writings of the French astrologer and physician, whose book Les Prophéties contains hundreds of cryptic four-line poems known as quatrains.

The predictions have long been debated, with believers arguing they foresaw events such as the rise of dictators and major disasters, while critics say the verses are vague enough to be interpreted in many ways.

But Dread claims several passages appear to reference Iran and recent military tensions — and says the texts may also warn of a wider global conflict.

The ‘Iran prophecy’

In the video, Dread highlights what he says is one of the most striking passages in Nostradamus’ writings. He points to a verse referring to ancient geographic names connected to modern-day Iran.

It reads: “The great Saturn tiger of Hercania, gift presented to those of the ocean. A fleet chief will set out from Carmania. One who will take land at the Tyran Fosia.”

Dread explains that Hyrcania — or “Hercania” in some spellings — was an ancient region near the Caspian Sea in northern Iran.

Carmania, meanwhile, referred to an area along Iran’s southern coast.

“These are words that mean nothing to a casual reader,” he says in the video. “But to anyone who knows ancient geography, every single word in this verse is a signpost pointing directly to Iran.”

The Strait of Hormuz

The YouTuber also links the reference to Carmania with the modern-day Strait of Hormuz — a narrow shipping route between Iran and Oman. Much of the focus of the war has been in that region, with its closure having a significant impact in the rise in oil prices.

He explained: “And that coastline he named was Carmania. It’s the southern shore of modern-day Iran, the very stretch of land that controls the Strait of Hormuz , through which 20% of the world’s oil supply flows every single day.”

Dread says the mention of a “fleet chief” setting out from the area could symbolically describe a military response or attack originating from the region.

“Nostradamus wrote that a fleet chief would set out from Carmania,” he says. “He wrote that this force would present a gift to those of the ocean.”

According to Dread, some interpreters believe the “gift” described in the text could actually represent a weapon or attack directed at a major naval power. Trump has claimed to have sunk more than 50 of Iran’s warships since the conflict began, largely decimating its navy.

Predicting Ayatollah’s death

Another verse highlighted in the video refers to the capture of a Persian ruler.

“In 1727, in October, the king of Persia shall be captured by those of Egypt.”

Dread argues that while the date does not match modern events, some Nostradamus scholars believe the prophet’s timelines may have been symbolic or coded.

“What matters more than the date is the content,” he says in the video. “The king of Persia shall be captured.”

He notes that Iran was historically known as Persia until the 20th century and suggests the passage could be interpreted as referring to the death of a powerful leader. Of course, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening days of the war.

Missiles in the sky

Another quatrain mentioned in the video appears to describe fiery objects crossing the night sky.

The quote reads: “A burning torch will be seen in the sky at night near the end and the beginning of Rome. Famine, steel, the relief provided late. Persia turns to invade Macedonia.”

Dread suggests the imagery could resemble modern missile warfare.

“If you were a 16th-century physician trying to describe a missile — a cruise missile, a ballistic missile, a hypersonic weapon streaking across the sky at night with trailing fire — what words would you use?” he asks. “A burning torch would be seen in the sky at night.”

The first two weeks of the war have largely involved missiles raining down on Tehran and other Iranian cities from the US and Israel.

Could Iran invade Europe?

The final line of the same quatrain has also sparked debate among Nostradamus enthusiasts: “Persia turns to invade Macedonia.”

Dread says the reference to Macedonia could broadly describe parts of south-eastern Europe or the Balkans.

He suggests it raises the possibility that a conflict with Iran could spread into Europe, pulling in NATO allies and triggering a wider war.

What happens next?

In the closing part of the video, Dread says other passages in Nostradamus’ writings suggest the conflict may not remain regional. He claims several quatrains describe a broader war involving multiple global powers.

Dread explains: “He describes naval battles in the Persian Gulf where ships are melted and destroyed. He describes economic collapse triggered by the disruption of trade routes. He describes a conflict that spreads from the Middle East into Europe itself.”

Dread also warns that the texts appear to describe a war escalating through miscalculation rather than deliberate strategy, saying: “A regional war that becomes a world war not through grand strategy but through miscalculation, retaliation, and the cascading failures of diplomacy.”

Despite the dramatic interpretations, Dread acknowledges the long-running debate surrounding Nostradamus’ predictions.

“The entire field of Nostradamus interpretation is built on ambiguity,” he says.

But he adds that the apparent similarities between the verses and modern events remain striking.

“Coincidence is a comforting explanation. It’s clean. It’s rational. It lets us sleep at night. Nostradamus warned us about Iran. The real question isn’t whether we should have listened. The real question is what else he warned us about that we’re still ignoring.”