Skip to content 6/17/2025 Christians Pray for those in Israel and Iran as the Middle East Crisis Continues Towards Hopeful Peace Jun 17 · 54 min ...more
6/17/2025 Christians Pray for those in Israel and Iran as the Middle East Crisis Continues Towards Hopeful Peace
June 17, 2025 · 54 min
Tony and guests look at the Israel-Iran war from both sides, contemplating how Christians can pray and engage, and then dig into the reconciliation bill, identifying concerning elements to adjust.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
Family Research Council is serving in the kingdom of God by championing faith, family, & freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview.
June 17, 2025 · 54 min · Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio
Tony and guests look at the Israel-Iran war from both sides, contemplating how Christians can pray and engage, and then dig into the reconciliation bill, identifying concerning elements to adjust. ...more Show the full description Show less Tony and guests look at the Israel-Iran war from both sides, contemplating how Christians can pray and engage, and then dig into the reconciliation bill, identifying concerning elements to adjust.
Series Washington Watch with Tony Perkins - Audio Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Support this leader
Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Give
Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Up next Autoplay More from Tony Perkins 11/13/2026 Regardless of Who Appears to Be in Power in Washington, a Christian’s Call to Service Doesn’t Change Tony Perkins
Michael Rubin, Bob Maginnis, Kelly Shackelford, Chris Smith, Arielle Del Turco Tony Perkins
11/12/2026 The Consequences of Recent Elections Become Clearer as We Move into the Final Months of 2026 Tony Perkins
Steven E. Moore, Robert Spalding, Rabbi Yaakov Menken, Josh Brecheen Tony Perkins
11/11/2026 The Jewish Vote Shift Amid Rising Anti-Semitism, American Security Targets, and Peace Talks Tony Perkins
Woe to the At-Ease: Amos' Call to Repentance Tony Perkins
Seek the Lord and Live: A Call from Amos 3-5 Tony Perkins
Harriet Hageman, Peter Doran, Joel Griffith, Glenn Grothman, Casey Harper Tony Perkins
11/10/2026 Ending Wars, a Lame Duck Congress, and Biblical Instruction for Leaders, on Today’s Washington Watch Tony Perkins
Ron Johnson, Andrew Clyde, Blaise Misztal, Michele Bachmann, Gary Hamrick Tony Perkins
11/9/2026 Reflections on How the Midterms Will Shape the Future Congressional Agenda and Foreign Policy Tony Perkins
In this video 0:00 Geopolitical Tensions and US Involvement
Geopolitical Tensions and US Involvement 0:00 From the heart of our nation's capital in Washington DC, bringing compelling interviews, insightful analysis, taking you beyond the headlines and soundbites into conversations with our nation's leaders and0:12 newsmakers, all from a biblical worldview. Washington Watch with Tony Perkins starts now.0:18 By acting to defend ourselves, we're also acting to defend others in the Middle East and Iran itself. The people of Iran, I think, have a brilliant future, and our friendship can be0:30 restored to what it was and what it should be. This is the time.0:35 That was Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking earlier today on the Iran International News Channel. Welcome to this June seventeenth edition of Washington Watch. I'm your host, Tony Perkins. Thanks for0:47 tuning in. Well, coming up on the program today, president Trump's comments today suggest the US may be inching closer to direct engagement with Iran. We'll get reaction from congressman Warren Davison of Ohio, a member0:59 of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. We'll also hear an Iranian perspective from Marzia Amersirdeh, who was arrested and imprisoned after converting to Christianity. She fled the1:11 country and now speaks out about the regime's oppressive tactics. Israel has declared air superiority over Iran, but exactly what does that mean, and what will it take to eliminate Iran's1:23 nuclear capabilities and for Israel to declare victory? Retired air force brigadier general John Teichart will join us with insights into the unfolding situation in the Middle East. Plus, the senate
1:35 has taken the next step on the 1 big beautiful bill.
1:38 The senate now finance committee has completed its portion of it, and, it, was released, the text was last night. We believe it leads to a stronger and more prosperous
1:51 America. And so we are excited to to get this bill out and on the floor.
1:57 That was senate majority leader John Thune of South Dakota earlier today. Could senate revisions trigger a political showdown with the house? We're gonna break that down as well on today's edition of Washington Watch.
2:09 And a a little notice provision in the reconciliation bill has drawn bipartisan opposition from 40 state attorneys general. What is it and why the concern? Tennessee attorney general Jonathan
2:21 Scrimetti will join us later with answers. And by the way, Washington Watch is made possible only because of listeners like you. We receive no government funding, only support from
2:33 people who believe in our mission, who defend and support faith, family, and freedom. And now, right now, through June thirtieth, your impact can be doubled thanks to a 1500000.0 dollar challenge match
2:45 by some generous supporters. So if you would like to stand with us to partner with Washington Watch, simply text the word family to 6 7 7 4 2. That's family to 6 7 7
2:57 4 2. Well, president Trump made headlines yesterday when he made an early exit from the g 7 summit in Canada. His early return to Washington DC caused many to speculate on how he was
3:08 going to respond to Iran and Israel's escalating conflict. Well, since his return, he has published some statements that seem to suggest greater US involvement in the conflict. What might this involvement
3:20 look like? We're here to discuss this and more. Congressman Warren Davidson, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Financial Services Committee. He represents the eighth congressional district of
3:32 Ohio. Congressman Davidson, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us.
3:37 Always an honor. Thanks, Tony.
3:39 So let me get your take on, the president Trump's most recent language towards Iran suggesting that the United States may join Israel. Well, I
3:49 think a lot of people are concerned that president, Trump is, willing to cross the line from tactical support, of our friends in Israel to actual tactical participation. And, look, I I think people know that
4:01 president Trump's bias is towards peace. He's worked to try to secure a a way for Israel to feel safe and secure and, frankly, the world to feel secure. Iran has been the destabilizing force in the Middle
4:13 East. They've not just, done things directly. They've used proxies. I mean, and as predictable as gravity as if Iran has money, they're gonna attack Israel with it. They funded the Hamas attacks, the 10
4:25 7 massacre in Israel, and, they funded the Houthis, Hezbollah, and others. So, this has been something that's been building towards this. They've been refusing to be transparent about their,
4:37 nuclear program. So it's understandable that Israel felt threatened, but I think a lot of people are surprised to see, you know, a willingness potentially by president Trump to get involved, in an aggressive way.
4:48 And do you think that's because Israel has shown it it appears that they struck out on their own, initially, remarkable success in the the first, you know, 5 days of this conflict.
5:01 The language of president Trump has grown stronger in terms of engagement as Israel has become more successful.
5:10 Yeah. You know, I'm I think look. If Israel's, incredibly successful, then they don't really need our support. And frankly, you know, this isn't really our war to fight or fund. I mean, if president Trump wants to
5:21 declare a war, he's got a lot of groundwork to lay in congress. Congress is the body that declares wars. If he's responding to an immediate threat where Iran attacks troops, of course, he needs to defend our troops and
5:32 respond in a way that deters future action by Iran. So far, the United States hasn't directly attacked Iran, and Iran hasn't directly attacked the United States. So I think that's a a line that, you know, we've been
5:44 supportive tactically in other ways for Israel, but it it it would be an important, shift, for the president to cross over to tactical support and actually engage directly with their end.
5:56 The issue that, Israel is bringing up is that they have neutralized most of the air defenses of Iran, and they have, they have targeted some of the nuclear facilities. But in order
6:08 to eliminate them, they have to have munitions that, quite frankly, they don't have. The United States has them and really are the only ones that can deliver them. You know, at what point
6:20 do we say, alright. This is in our best interest that we eliminate this nuclear, capability of Iran. Because I I feel like they're probably going to accelerate their
6:31 efforts if they're, you know, if if if Israel stops at a certain point, they can't go any further. Many think that Iran's going to accelerate the the development of their nuclear weapons once the heat is off.
6:44 Yeah. I mean, I think if Israel doesn't have a way to finish a war, it's not really wise to start 1. And the United States is an expert in that. We've started all kinds of wars and failed to finish them well, and a lot
6:53 of them have been in the Middle East. So I think we'd be wise to, you know, take every effort to avoid, getting involved in a war. And but if we do, we should do it the right way and make sure the entire
7:05 country's behind it, have congress authorize it, and continue to authorize it, not just use some sort of executive action. And the reality is once you drop the bunker busters, then there's destabilization and further
7:17 escalation. It just draws and expands the war. That's been the history of conflict in the Middle East. I think we'd be wise to be cautious.
7:25 Do you think a regime change is needed in Iran?
7:30 I think that the Iranian people would be better off with a very different leadership, but I don't think it's America's place to decide who leads which country. We struggle to do that for our own country, frankly.
7:42 So what does America's proper involvement look like to you in terms of the the threat the growing threat that we see from a nuclear equipped Iran, and they've been
7:54 pursuing this. And depending on who you listen to or what intelligence information you get, they're closer each passing day to developing that and reaching that point of breakout. What
8:06 should be the US's response in terms of assistance to Israel to eliminate this threat?
8:13 Look. You know, like you, I'm sure we have friends in Israel. Israel's a friend of the United States. I wish them safety and success. I want them to be secure. And the United States has provided support for Israel,
8:25 in in lots of ways. Israel, of course, we would sell weapons to Israel, but, you know, the idea that the United States is supposed to fight and fund every war around the world, I think, is fallacious. And frankly, even
8:36 when our friends get get into a war or start 1, they shouldn't say, oh, America's gonna come and save it. I just kinda have to get it started. I don't think we wanna set that condition for anybody, including Israel.
8:48 Do do and I agree. I mean, look. As a as a marine veteran, I'm I'm actually not a hawk. I I I believe that, we should not be seen as the world's policeman. But I do think as,
9:00 the world leader, we have a responsibility to provide, both diplomatic efforts to resolve issues, but when those are exhausted, you know, there
9:12 there comes a place that we have to to be a part of making the world as best as possible a a safe place. I also see and I I I I'd like to get your thought on this. I I see a difference
9:24 between Israel and and just other countries, say Ukraine. I feel like we have a closer relationship. We have a stronger obligation with that country.
9:34 Well, we certainly have a special relationship with Israel. But again, you know, we should decide the terms of that. And if the United States is gonna get involved, we've set out in the constitution in Federalist 69,
9:45 Federalist 41. I mean, it's well established. And part of the reason is you don't want just a small percentage of the country at war. If America goes to war, you want the whole country committed to it, and you wanna win
9:56 decisively and swiftly. The idea that America is somehow made stronger because we're in a constant state of war is fallacious. These endless wars have left us less free, less safe, more burdened by debt. We've
10:08 grown the surveillance state. And instead of focusing on our enemies, we focused it inward on American citizens. We've seen it abused in every way that people were forecasting that it would be abused. And I think it's
10:19 really, you know, important that we stay focused on the mission that was the core of the Make America Great Again campaign. And Donald Trump has been very effective at avoiding wars. I hope this is a very effective
10:30 peace negotiation. We do some brinkmanship here, and we get a peaceful resolution to it. But you gotta look at the challenge that president Trump's up against. Everyone he was negotiating peace negotiating anti,
10:43 nuclear weaponization programs with Iran is dead. I mean, Israel killed them, specifically them. So I think it you know, you'd be hard pressed to find an Iranian who wants to be listed as
10:55 a nuclear negotiator, right now in the wake of that.
10:58 Right. But but do do you really
10:59 I mean, look at the history of Iran. Can we really trust them? I mean, they've been dragging this out, I I think just buying time.
11:08 Well, that's a fair concern. And, look, I mean, when when, president Trump's first term, he was working with Kim Jong un in in, North Korea to deescalate, tensions between North and South Korea. I mean, that
11:20 hadn't crossed into a hot war, but tensions were escalating and president Trump basically, you know, kind of famously said, hey. I got a bigger button. But he also put the burden on South Korea. I mean, who's benefiting
11:30 from this first and foremost is South Korea. So he charged them for THAAD missile systems. He said, yeah. We'll we're glad to sell them to you, and we'll help you reach a peaceful resolution. And I think that's, you
11:41 know, for our friends, of course, we'll help you. And we want peace, so we'd you know, I think that's a great role for the United States to
11:47 play with it. And I would definitely agree that it should not come without a price tag. I mean, we we have to we can help other countries, but they gotta help pay the freight for that. Speaking of paying the freight, we
11:59 just got a couple minutes left. I I wanna switch over to the issue of the reconciliation bill, the 1 big beautiful bill. The senate has released the framework for their version. What do you think about it? Is
12:10 it going to fly in the house?
12:13 Well, look, I'm hopeful that at the end, we'll wind up with a product that every Republican in the house and senate can vote for. We were close in the house. That's really what it took to get it out of the house to the
12:24 senate. We hear some house members saying, well, I can't vote for what the senate's talking about. A lot of this comes down to something most Americans don't even know about, state and local tax deductions. This is a way
12:35 for most of the country to subsidize high tax states like New York, where they get tax deductions. So they effectively pay lower federal taxes. So they get a bigger tax break out of this package in
12:47 blue states than you do in the rest of the country. So
12:50 and and let me let me we just have a minute left. There there are 5, I think, 5 house Republicans that are in those blue states that have, gotten that cap up to 40000 dollars, the senate
13:02 lowering it down to 10000. Will 5 Republicans in the house derail this entire thing?
13:08 Well, they threatened to. I mean, that's why they moved all the way to 40000. I mean, last congress, they said they were content with 20000. The ways and means committee opened at 30, thought they would be able to get
13:19 their vote. And I think the reality is these guys have kind of amused it. It's a very expensive provision. I and over 300000000000 dollars in, deficit addition because we're subsidizing these guys. So in a way,
13:31 they're out negotiating everyone else and holding us hostage.
13:34 It's gonna be very interesting to see. Warren Davidson, always great to see you. Thanks so much for, joining us today for a conversation.
13:41 Yeah. Likewise. Thanks, Tony.
13:43 Alright. Congressman Warren Davidson of Ohio. Alright. When we come back, we're gonna talk about 1 of the provisions that was in this reconciliation bill that has
13:51 drawn
13:51 unique bipartisan opposition, 40 state attorneys general. We're gonna talk about it next.
14:02 Hello. I'm Tony Perkins, and we're here in in Jerusalem, the city of King David. And I'm excited to announce the launch of our family bible challenge to read through the gospel of Matthew.
14:14 Now this 21 day challenge begins on June the eleventh, and it's part of our stand on the word bible reading plan. It's in bite sized readings. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes a day, and we provide a toolbox
14:26 full of resources to help you along the journey, including a study guide titled Matthew, the king and his kingdom. We also provide downloadable resources such as age appropriate
14:38 questions to engage children, and we have a variety of family friendly projects as well as this. Listen, a coloring book, coloring pages about the life of Jesus for the younger
14:49 kids and your grandkids. Think about it. What could be a better summer activity than to go on a journey through the life of Jesus as a family? Just
15:01 think what God could do in the lives of your loved ones as they read Matthew. Unforgettable stories about the greater son of David, Jesus, the Messiah. I hope you'll
15:13 join us for our family bible challenge beginning June the eleventh. Text the word Matthew to 6 7 7 4 2. I hope you'll join
15:30 us. In a time when Washington seems clouded by compromise, a bold group of lawmakers are standing firm in defense of the values which our nation was built upon. At FRC Action's
15:42 100 percent awards, 171 members of congress were honored for voting 100 percent in line with policies that promote faith, family, and freedom.
15:54 Faith and family made our country it's the foundation that made our country not only great, but good.
16:00 The values that make America, faith, family, hard work, personal responsibility. I mean, that to me is the heart of FRC and, grateful for everything that they do.
16:09 It's very important for us to have organizations such as FRC. First of all, I think it keeps us grounded. In addition to which, the issues that you champion are issues that we should all be championing.
16:19 FRC is very, very good at honing in on those things that, really affect Christians' lives. Also, working with members of congress too to make sure that those values are instilled in the legislation that we create.
16:30 Having the family research council to guide us is, critically important to being able to do the right thing consistently.
16:40 These lawmakers have drawn the line, not just in policy, but in principle. This is more than politics.
16:54 Difference.
17:03 Welcome back to Washington Watch. And by the way, I wanna encourage you to, join with us in praying for Israel as this situation continues to intensify and unfold before us. We need to be praying for for
17:15 Israel and, quite frankly, for the Iranian people who want to be free and not under this regime. We need to be praying for our leaders. And and and I was, anyway, we we want we
17:26 wanna invite you to be a part of that. And so if you'd like to text the word Israel to 6 7 7 4 2, I'll send you a link because we we have a prayer pledge, and I'm gonna be communicating that pledge to some of our friends
17:38 in Israel. I'll talk more about that, in a little bit. But anyway, text Israel to 6 7 7 4 2. Alright. A provision in the, 1 big beautiful bill, which quite frank quite frankly did not get,
17:50 much attention in the house, has now garnered strong opposition as it, is over in the senate. The provision was added kind of at the eleventh hour by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It imposes a
18:01 10 year restriction on states from enforcing laws or placing restrictions on artificial intelligence, AI. The result has been 40 state attorneys general. Now this is
18:14 quite frankly unusual. You get a bipartisan group. 40. There's only 50 states. Remember? So 40 state attorneys general have joined together to oppose this provision and have it removed in the senate.
18:26 So what is the reason for such strong opposition? Well, here to discuss this, Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Scrumetti. He is, 1 of 4 state AGs leading the bipartisan,
18:38 effort to to, to remove this AI provision. General, welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks so much for joining us.
18:47 Thanks for having me back, Tony.
18:49 Alright. So this is, unusual to have 40, AGs, bipartisan effort. This must be pretty significant. Walk us through this provision and why such
19:01 strong opposition.
19:03 So this provision carves out the enforcement of state laws with respect to AI, And it doesn't specify what state laws. So it could be everything from state laws specifically looking at
19:15 artificial intelligence. Like in Tennessee, we have the Elvis Act, protecting the voices of performers. But it could be general application laws, our consumer protection, our antitrust laws. If they're
19:26 directed at AI in a unique way because the unique problems that AI poses, then potentially we could not be able to enforce those laws for 10 years in a very fast moving industry that's affecting
19:38 more and more people in more and more ways.
19:40 I mean, that that sounds like we're creating, like, the wild, wild west, where there's because the federal government, correct me if I'm wrong, but has been very slow to do any type of regulation
19:52 on artificial intelligence.
19:55 Yeah. I mean, technology moves fast and congress moves slow. And we have no confidence that the federal government will be able to regulate at a pace that will keep people protected from some of the
20:07 really obvious harms that we expect AI will bring. And even scarier, it's moving fast. It's it's growing quickly. We don't know what future problems AI products will bring, and it's essential
20:19 that the states be able to serve as laboratories of democracy and protect their citizens from this. Now the the flip side is China is developing its own AI products, and we don't want litigation or legislation
20:32 to kneecap the American industry. But there is a balance there, and this goes so far over the line and leaves us all at the mercy of big tech companies.
20:42 Well, isn't this, at the end of the day, a a consumer protection issue? I mean, you're as the attorney general of your state, you're protecting the people oftentimes from being
20:53 exploited, and AI is certainly, as we're seeing, even in the early days of this, something that can be manipulated and used to exploit people.
21:04 Absolutely. You know, we see various forms of, misrepresentation and deceit. But even scarier is as AI gets access to more and more data and AI
21:15 products refine the way they can use that, we're gonna find ourselves being manipulated in ways that we don't fully understand, based on factors that we don't fully understand. And there is all sorts of
21:27 opportunity there for bad actors, corporate bad actors to exploit us.
21:32 So so general Scrametti, just to be very clear, states in fact, there were, I think, about 75 provisions or so introduced this year in the state legislatures. Many states have
21:44 already adopted laws and regulations regarding AI as it has grown in the last few years. And as as rapidly as it's changed in the last 3 years, I can only imagine what it's gonna be like 10 years
21:56 from now. But are you saying that those laws and regulations that have already been put into place, that you will not be able to enforce them?
22:05 That is correct. Yep.
22:08 So so what's gonna take the place of those regulations and those laws?
22:13 I know a few members of Congress have suggested that Congress can act, but we've seen Congress is not very busy these days in terms of passing legislation.
22:22 Well, I mean, how how the problem is getting something through that that that congress that I mean, you you it just it's hard to get legislation through that makes it through, number 1,
22:33 the 3 vote margin that you've got in the house and then crossing the 60 vote threshold needed in the senate. I mean, that's just extremely difficult to do. Plus, I'm I'm not sure. Does does a 1
22:45 size fits all work, when we're talking about the various states and AI?
22:52 You know, we have these 50 laboratories of democracy. It's 1 of the strengths of our country that we can try different laws in different places. And we've been able to do it in ways that promote innovation in the past.
23:04 We ought to be able to protect our people the way we want to. Tennessee is not California, and it doesn't want to be California. But both states have the right and the obligation to protect their citizens.
23:15 Alright. Just about a minute and a half left. What's been the response thus far from the senate? Any progress in getting this provision removed?
23:24 Well, there's been bipartisan concern about this in the senate. I think I'm actually doing a press event tomorrow, with senator Blackburn from Tennessee and senator Cantwell, I believe. And we're gonna have
23:36 a a Democratic AG on as well to talk about how this is really threatening the state's ability to protect citizens, and it will leave a vacuum that a few giant big tech companies can fill
23:47 with whatever they want. We've seen bad action from these companies in the past. They do great things, but they need to be checked. They need to be held accountable. And this provision eliminates the ability of the
23:59 states to do it, and we know that congress isn't capable of doing it in any meaningful sense.
24:05 So on the other side of this is big tech. They're the ones pushing for this no regulation, this wild, wild west? The same ones who have been mining our data? The same ones who have been exploiting
24:17 the American people without congress being able to provide any oversight?
24:22 Yeah. We've seen so many problems in terms of social media, which is a fine technology, but it's been abused in ways that hurt users, especially kids. And there's no reason based on that experience for
24:34 us to have any confidence Yeah. That things will be any better with AI.
24:38 Well, general, I appreciate you fighting this fight. It's 1 worth fighting. I, absolutely agree with you on this. General Schematic, always great to see you. Thanks for joining us.
24:47 Thanks, Tony.
24:48 Alright, folks. When we come back, a special guest who has insight on what is happening on the ground in Iran. You won't wanna miss my conversation, so don't go away.
25:02 The Center for Biblical Worldviews all day workshops delves into the formation of a worldview, what it is, how it's formed, when it's formed, what that means to them personally and their
25:14 churches and communities.
25:15 My hope for people when they come to these worldview workshops is that they will come away better equipped to engage the people and the ideas that they're living with and around. And
25:27 our goal is to give people more confidence in the gospel, in the fact that what God said to us actually is true, actually is the path to happiness and human flourishing for all of us, but
25:38 also more confidence in their ability to have these conversations and help lead other people to the truth.
25:45 For bible believing Christians to know what God's word says on these issues and to learn how they can apply it to their lives. And we believe that the more Christians that we equip, that's how we'll change the
25:57 nation.
25:58 Hey, fam. Listen. Pastor Sammy here at Lighthouse Church, and I cannot tell you how equipping, how empowering, how incredibly educating this conference has been. And so I
26:10 just wanna encourage anybody that either has not been part of or is thinking about hosting this event, certainly to pastors, leaders, even CEOs for that matter. This conference is lights
26:22 out. Stand behind it myself. I can't commend it enough. We're gonna be talking about this for some time to come.
26:28 The culture is kind of squeezing in on us as God's people, forcing those of us with biblical views, to change those views or to suppress those views. It's forcing us to engage
26:39 with issues that we've never had to engage with. And so what this teaches us is what those issues are, what the bible says about those issues, and then how we can critically engage our culture on these
26:51 things in a way that is committed to biblical principle.
26:54 Visit f r c dot org slash world view for more information.
27:03 Welcome back to Washington Watch. Thanks for joining us. Alright. As operation rising line continues into day 5, how are the Iranian citizens feeling about
27:14 this war between Israel and the Iranian regime? And what are they thinking about the possibility of seeing their ruthless government replaced,
27:26 what we call a regime change? Well, here to, share her in her insights on what is happening on the ground is Marzia. She is an Iranian Christian convert from a Muslim
27:38 background. Through evangelism. Though evangelism is illegal in Iran, she and a friend managed to covertly put copies of the New Testament in the hands of about 20000 Iranians and started 2
27:50 secret house churches. In 2009, she and her friend were both arrested and sentenced to death. They spent almost 9 months, in prison in Tehran. And after their release, they fled to the
28:02 United States and authored a book sharing their story, Captive in Iran. Marzia, welcome to Washington Watch. Thanks for, joining us.
28:12 Thank you so much, Tony, for having me.
28:15 Now I know that, you you actually have was at the Family Research Council about 5 years ago and and shared your story, But you continue to, stay in abreast of what is
28:27 happening, with contacts, on the ground and reading, and and, and and through various means. What are you hearing coming out of Iran? What are the Iranian
28:38 people saying?
28:41 Yes. Every day, almost every day, I, watch the news and follow the messages that people, Iranians are sending out mostly in Farsi and the films that they are
28:53 sharing. And, honestly, majority of Iranians, millions of Iranians are very happy, with the elimination of seeing the elimination of IRGC terrorists
29:05 and, Israel is, targeting nuclear facilities and military bases. They are sharing, videos and films mocking them and the especially the first day they
29:17 shared their celebration that how much they are happy. Unfortunately, some people, western lefties and, the, agents of the regime, those who are
29:29 supported by the regime outside try to spread lies and propaganda to show that, you know, how much people are upset against Israel. This is not true. No 1 like
29:40 war, to, you know, to get killed in the war, but that shows how much Iranians suffered for more than 40 years, and their pain and sufferings is
29:52 much, higher. Yes. That's why they prefer to see that the the butchers of their children are getting killed in this law.
30:00 Marzia, do do you see the possibility of a removal of the repressive regime, a a a new government emerging
30:12 in Iran? Is that possible?
30:15 That's the hope of, majority of Iranians, including me. And, unfortunately, you know, when I moved to the United States, I learned that, we Iranian,
30:27 freedom fighters are fighting against 2 Islamic Republic region. 1 is inside Iran that everyone knows who they are, and the other 1 is their agents, outside
30:39 in America, in western countries who infiltrated, politics and a media education system. So, despite, you know, the,
30:51 misleading politicians and what they are doing, with what's happening right now in Iran that Israel started supporting Iranian people because we know that we are fighting against the
31:03 same enemy. There is a high hope that, prince Pahlavi, that's the only legitimate, opposition that Iranian people trusted at him
31:15 because the regime also send their fake oppositions outside and to mislead, politicians and leaders, but, to create division among people that Iranians are not united. But
31:26 many times during many protests, Iranians, called his name and asked for his return. And that's a big hope among Iranians that finally, America and Israel stand
31:38 with prince Takhtali and help him, to restore democracy and freedom in Iran.
31:45 Marzia, I just have a couple of minutes left. How strong is the the church, the Christian church? How how large is the community of believers there in Iran? Is it growing?
31:58 Yes. Of course, it's growing, and there's a big news about is that, millions of people are coming to Christ. And the reason is that people are tired of this, tie not tyrannical
32:10 regime living under the harsh rules of Islam for so many years. And, there are news that out of 75000 mosques, 55 thousands
32:22 of those mosques were closed, and people are refused to go to the mosque. They don't like Islam anymore. They don't like this regime anymore, and they are, they they could see the true face of,
32:33 Islam through these, evil people. That's why they are turning their back to, Islam. And I myself when I was in Iran, I experienced that. For 4 years, I was serving
32:45 the Lord. I distributed 20000 Bibles with my friend, Mariam Rosampour, and we evangelized thousands of people. And I could see that how much Iranians are thirsty to come to the place.
32:57 And, right now, I'm in the United States, but I can hear the news that Iran has has the fastest growing churches.
33:05 30 seconds left. How can Christians here in the United States be praying for the people of Iran?Show more
Comments No comments yet. Start the conversation.
Comments
Keep it kind. Comments are public.