by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Evangelist Franklin Graham, who has close ties to the White House, urged Americans on Saturday to pray for the U.S. military, which, together with Israel’s forces, began striking Iran earlier in the day.
He also asked for prayers for the president and the Iranian people, who he stressed have suffered under an Islamic regime.
“Pray for our military in the operation against Iran, for President Donald J. Trump, and that the people of Iran will be set free from the bondage of Islam,” Graham wrote on his Facebook page.
His remarks came amid footage appearing to show some residents of Tehran celebrating, reflecting growing public discontent with the Islamic rulers of the nation.
IRAN PROTEST DEATH TOLL RISING
The military escalation comes against the backdrop of sustained unrest inside Iran, where protests over economic hardship, corruption, and political repression have intensified in recent years.
According to several human rights organisations and a network of Iranian doctors compiling hospital data inside the country, thousands of people are believed to have been killed this year in the subsequent crackdown.
Independent activist groups say security forces have used live ammunition, mass arrests, and internet shutdowns to suppress dissent, making it difficult to independently verify casualty figures.
The latest military and diplomatic escalation dates back to protests after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained by morality police, which sparked nationwide demonstrations.
Rights organisations said the crackdown that followed her death left hundreds dead and marked one of the most serious internal challenges to Iran’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
CHRISTIANS IN IRAN FACE PRESSURE
Christians in Iran — particularly converts from Islam — have long faced pressure from authorities, especially those involved in evangelical house churches.
While historic Armenian and Assyrian churches are officially recognised, converts to Christianity from Islam are often accused of acting against national security or spreading propaganda against the state.
Several Christian advocacy groups, including Open Doors, report that Iran remains one of the most challenging places in the world to practice Christianity openly.
At the same time, those organisations say Iran is home to one of the fastest-growing underground church movements globally, with believers meeting quietly in homes or connecting through digital platforms.
Analysts say the widening regional confrontation now adds further uncertainty for Iran’s population of more than 85 million people, many already burdened by sanctions, inflation, and political repression.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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