As the ideological engine behind unwavering American support for Israel, Christian Zionism—particularly among American evangelicals known as dispensationalists or premillennialists— raises critical questions about how a war between Israel and Iran fits into their religious worldview.
According to their belief, the establishment of the State of Israel and the gathering of Jews in Palestine represent the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies and are considered a precondition for the return of Jesus Christ, who will rule the Earth for a thousand years—a phase they call the “Messianic salvation” or the “end times.”
Supporters of former U.S. President Donald Trump have even gone so far as to frame his policies—especially toward Iran—as part of a divine decree fulfilling these apocalyptic prophecies. His former ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, claimed that Trump’s involvement in confronting Iran was an act of obedience to a divine calling.
In an article titled “Mike Huckabee’s Evangelical Vision Might Be the Key,” published on the Forward website, Dr. Tricia Storne, a human geography professor at Queen’s University Belfast, explains how Christian Zionists view the Israel-Iran conflict as a direct fulfilment of biblical prophecy. She cites French historian François Hartog, who argues that signs of the end times are multiplying—and that the latest Israeli aggression toward Iran is viewed by many evangelicals as another milestone in this anticipated scenario.
A Spiritual Operation Disguised as Strategy
Similarly, the French Christian magazine Tribune Chrétienne ran an editorial titled “Israel and Iran: Is Ezekiel’s Prophecy Being Fulfilled?” suggesting the conflict is more than geopolitical rivalry—it is a biblical war. The article quotes directly from Ezekiel’s prophecy:
“Son of man, set your face toward the land of Magog… and prophesy against it… Persia, Cush, and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets… You and all your troops will fall on the mountains of Israel.”
For religious Zionists, such passages are not metaphorical—they are seen as literal descriptions of current events: the regathering of Jews, an attack from northern enemies including Persia (modern-day Iran), followed by a global war that ushers in the messianic era.
The magazine points out that Israel’s religious-nationalist leadership increasingly views this war as a divine mission, not merely a defensive necessity. They frame it as a step toward fulfilling prophetic salvation.
Interestingly, the magazine also notes that this spiritual lens is present on the Iranian side. Twelver Shia Muslims await the return of the Mahdi, their “hidden Imam,” who is believed to establish justice on Earth—a belief that also imbues the conflict with an eschatological weight.
The publication concludes that while geopolitical and nuclear concerns are undeniably important, the rising influence of religious narratives on both sides is making this conflict increasingly opaque—and dangerously irreversible.
Evangelical Enthusiasm for an Apocalypse
On Harvest—a popular American evangelical website—senior pastor Greg Laurie published an article titled “Israel’s Attack on Iran: An Update on Biblical Prophecy” in which he asks:
“Does this conflict mark the fulfilment of a biblical end-time prophecy?”
His answer: “Yes and no.” Laurie claims that the Bible predicted both the scattering and regathering of Jews, with the latter occurring in 1948. He also points to an alliance from the north—including Persia—as a sign of the approaching end. While he concedes the prophecy isn’t fully realized, he insists this is a “clear foreshadowing.”
He further asserts that increased global isolation of Israel and rising antisemitism were also prophesied—developments he believes are now unfolding.
Trump, Divine Decree, and a War Mandate
This religious framing of the Iran-Israel war is made explicit in a message sent by Mike Huckabee to Trump, stating:
“God saved you in Pennsylvania… but now you must listen to a higher voice.”
In her analysis, Storne describes Huckabee as perhaps the most powerful Christian Zionist in the world. She notes that this is not the first time evangelical Trump supporters have portrayed him as divinely chosen, especially with regard to Iran.
During Trump’s presidency, evangelical leaders likened him to Queen Esther, suggesting he was raised “for such a time as this” to protect Israel from Iranian danger. Others compared him to King Cyrus, the Persian ruler praised in biblical texts for liberating the Jews.
Now, evangelicals claim that Trump has a divine assignment—not to rescue Jews, but to trigger the “rapture,” where believers are lifted to the heavens to witness Christ’s battle against the Antichrist at Armageddon.
Ironically, in this narrative, most Jews are fated to perish unless they convert to Christianity. Huckabee’s letter to Trump urges him to join the war, suggesting that “this moment has chosen you”—not the other way around.
Absolving Responsibility Through Divine Justification
Storne explains that for Christian Zionists, such beliefs relieve them of political accountability. Framing actions as divinely guided means they feel no guilt over supporting illegal settlements or funding the Israeli military—even as it commits war crimes in Gaza.
They advocate for a Jewish state spanning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, erasing all Palestinian land in the process. To them, this is merely fulfilling prophecy, not occupation or apartheid.
According to Storne, these messianic predictions can no longer be dismissed as fringe theology. They have infiltrated American policymaking, especially under the Trump administration—from Trump himself, to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Ambassador Huckabee. This raises legitimate concerns that Christian Zionist theology may push the U.S. into open war with Iran.
Prophecies About Iran: An Evangelical Obsession
On Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), one of the most watched Christian media outlets in America, Pastor Joel Rosenberg claimed there are two biblical prophecies about Iran that are widely ignored.
One from Ezekiel predicts a war involving Persia (Iran), and another from Jeremiah, foretelling the destruction of Iran’s military capabilities:
“I will bring against Elam the four winds… I will scatter them… There will not be a nation where Elam’s exiles do not go.”
Rosenberg claims this began with the 1979 Iranian revolution, when many Iranians fled into exile—many of whom, he says, “left Islam and accepted Christ.”
He also interprets a biblical verse stating, “I will set my throne in Elam,” to mean that God will make Iran a Christian nation—a spiritual base from which future missionaries will emerge.
Misusing Persia’s History: The Amalekite Analogy
A French Christian study titled “Amalek, Iran, and Prophecy” explores the shift in Israel-Iran relations post-1979. It argues that pre-revolutionary Iran—under the Shah—was historically friendly to Jews, with many Persian leaders even employing Jewish officials.
However, the study blames the Islamic Republic’s hostility on a non-Persian minority, likening Iran’s current rulers to Haman the Amalekite, a biblical villain who sought to destroy the Jews.
The article draws linguistic parallels between the names Haman and Khomeini, suggesting that the current Iranian regime is an extension of the ancient Amalekite enmity.
Are These Prophecies Credible—or Convenient?
Russell Moore, editor of Christianity Today, warns in his article “Don’t Blame Biblical Prophecy for War with Iran” that linking every geopolitical conflict to end-time theology is both reckless and misleading.
He reminds readers that past generations also misused prophecy, linking Soviet Russia to Gog and Magog, or Iraq to Babylon. They predicted Christ’s return within specific timeframes, none of which materialised.
Now, with Israel and Iran back in the spotlight, these failed prophecies are being recycled, creating public fear and theological confusion.
Moore argues that such interpretations reflect a deeper issue: people choosing emotionally satisfying myths over difficult truths.
