David Parks

I’ll never forget the private conversations I had with Iranians while in Southeast Asia. They couldn’t talk about what they really thought publicly because there was always a chance it could get back to the wrong Iranian student and then directly to their brutal government. The large majority of them were crying to freedom. But the minority had all the power and the ability to ruin someone’s life by informing on their use of free speech. “We just want freedom to choose.” It felt like I heard it a million times. I watched alongside them in 2009 as the Green Revolution saw millions of Iranians pouring into the streets to protest an obviously stolen election. Then the violent crackdowns on the protesters… This has continued to play out as 47 years of the Islamic Republic’s torture and murder of any political opposition has effectively strangled the people of Iran.

I’m writing this post for those of you who who may not realize the majority of Iranians despise their government and desperately want change. I am NOT telling you how you have to view the wisdom of the war in general or that you have to support Trump in everything he does. I do want you to hear from Iranian friends of mine and other Iranian voices I’ve come across who are advocating for their people. Specifically, they are having to tirelessly counter the voices in our media who equate the Iranian government with the people of Iran and callously overlook their suffering. For example, did you realize there has been a women’s movement going on for several years now because they don’t want to have the hijab forced on them? And that countless women have been arrested, raped, and murdered for protesting? It turns out our “feminists” in the West are afraid of being called “Islamaphobic” and so they ignore these brave and beautiful souls. I could go on and on, but I’ll stop my commentary so you can hear from Iranians themselves.

This is from an Iranian Christin who had to flee the country because of persecution. He lives in Australia: Please pass on my message to as many Americans as you can. We Iranians want this war with Islamic Republic to continue until the end. No turning back. We are thankful of US for what they are doing. This is unfortunately the only way to get our precious land and dignity back from the evil regime. A surgery is hard and painful sometime but there is healing after that. We are very disappointed of some EU countries that are making life hard for president Trump. They should appreciate him. Please pray for a free Iran, not necessary for an end to the war. Do you know what I dream about? Meeting you in the heart of Tehran soon as we are both going for a mission trip. I bring a crew from AU and you from US. Iranians deserve to be free and hear about the Gospel too.

This is from Mohammad Sanavi, Iranian graduate of Beeson Divinity School: Many of us have questions about what is happening in Iran right now. I want to share, briefly and carefully, a reality that is largely missing from what we see in the media. For the first time in decades, many Iranians, both inside the country and outside, are expressing something that may seem surprising: a sense of hope in the midst of war. This is not because they love war. It is because, in the last couple of months, they have watched their own people, young men and women, killed in the streets simply for desiring freedom. Families are grieving. Many parents have buried their children. At this moment, the internet is almost completely shut down. Communication is extremely limited. Even simple phone calls to loved ones are often impossible. Much of what is happening cannot be seen from the outside. From what we are hearing directly—from friends, family, and trusted networks connected to Iran—there is a deep frustration. Many feel that what is truly happening on the streets is not being clearly told. The focus often shifts to political narratives, while the suffering of ordinary people remains largely unseen. At the same time, we are seeing something else: many inside and outside the country are expressing support for Reza Pahlavi (the former crown prince of Iran) as a potential unifying figure for the future—yet this reality is not always reflected clearly in broader coverage. There is an old Persian saying:  “Compassion for the wolf with sharp teeth is cruelty toward the sheep.” This reflects what many Iranians are experiencing today. When the suffering of the innocent is overlooked, or when sympathy is directed toward those who oppress, it only deepens injustice against the defenseless. And yet, something remarkable is happening. Across the country, people from every background—young and old, men and women, religious and non-religious—are standing together. This is no longer about one group or one ideology. It is a unified cry against oppression. There is a deep longing—not only for change—but for freedom, justice, and peace. Given the current situation—violence, instability, communication blackouts, and the risk of further escalation—Christians in Iran are especially vulnerable as a small and often exposed minority. In times of conflict, they can easily become cut off or even targeted under suspicion, particularly because of perceived connections with the West.

As the church, this is where we must respond—not first with analysis, but with prayer.

Please pray:
• That God would bring an end to violence and unjust killing.
• That He would protect innocent lives and comfort grieving families.
• That truth would be revealed, even where it is being hidden.
• That there would be a just and peaceful transition in the nation.
• That fear would not have the final word, but hope would rise from the ashes.
• That Iranian Christian’s would be strengthened in faith and unity during this time and they would experience the nearness of Christ and continue to be a light in the darkness.
• That in the midst of uncertainty, many hearts would turn to Christ, the true Prince of Peace.

Let us remember that the Lord sees what the world does not see. He hears every cry. And He is able to do what no human power can accomplish.

This is from another Iranian Christian friend of mine. He also had to flee the country and has had the frightening experience of long interrogations while inside Iran. He shared the frustrations of so many of them who can’t believe the “freedom-loving” Western media is minimizing, and sometimes silencing, their voices. Here’s an example of what he sent to me. It’s a BBC Persian broadcast where a mistranslated word changed the entire meaning of the sentence to make it seem that the Iranian people are against this war.

There’s many Iranians such as Nazanin Nour and Masih Alinejad who are publicly advocating for their people and countering false media reports by Western reporters who are not Iranian and either don’t know what’s happening or they are just lying. CNN was given access inside Iran by the government because the government themselves knew they would tell their side of the story. I listened to a BBC report by a British man last night who asserted that America is considered an enemy by the “Iranian people.” This contradicts the large majority of Iranian voices I know and my personal experience of Iranians seeking me out for friendship while in SE Asia precisely because I’m American. These are some of the most kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and freedom-loving people I know.