NEWSBITE 17.1.2026
In a CBS News report two days ago on their programme “The takeout,” an interview took place with exiled Iranian journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad regarding the state of unrest in Iran and where it might lead to. In her interview she stated that according to her resources from inside Iran that they are witnessing massacres unfolding in their own cities , not just in Tehran, but in many other cities such as in Karaj where Iranian civilians are witnessing how people are being slaughtered, being butchered in front of their eyes. The numbers go much higher than being reported in the news media.
She also stated that the Iranian civilians are determined to take back their country but that they have empty hands, and that if they do not receive help then they are not going to win the battle against a brutal regime. They believe that a targeted military action against those who ordered massacre can help lives and can save lives. Otherwise the Iranian military will continue to go from house to house, as they are already doing by storming into private houses to arrest people who have satellite dishes.
They storm into hospitals and finish the injured from the protests. They go into streets where there are people watching from their balconies and shoot them. Family members are being warned not to talk to the media. Many are reporting that they have to pay the regime money to get the dead bodies of their family members back to bury them. No landlines, no mobile phones, no internet. A total blackout for millions of Iranians living in exile who do not know what is happening to those they know and love including family members.
According to the online edition of Jerusalem Dateline there are reports of at least 30,000 protestors killed. Also there are thousands in prison and 800 or more sentenced to hanging which has been temporarily postponed due to a very real threat from President Trump to take military action if they go ahead with the hangings and continue to massacre civilians.
According to President Trump he said that he has been informed from very important resources on the other side that the killings have stopped and that the executions will not take place. While the official narrative of the Iranian regime says this is the case according to those in Iran who have managed to contact outsiders say that the repression continues unabated.
Clearly the Iranian regime is playing for time in order to regroup. Added to this, the Iranian regime has been using militias in Iraq along with pro-Iranian terrorist organizations in the country setting up recruitment offices with the goal of helping the Ayatollah regime suppress the civilian population.
What western leaders either do not want to see or cannot see is that this regime will never relinquish the stranglehold they have on the Iranian population. When will the western politicians face the fact that you cannot deal with Islam? As Jeremiah the prophet writes; “We tried to heal Babylon, but she could not be healed” (Jeremiah 51:9).
One thing the Iranian regime do know is that President Trump is one who does take action as they experienced on June22, 2025 when the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of the Iran–Israel war, under the code name Operation Midnight Hammer.
Now the Aircraft carrier the Abraham Lincoln accompanied by a strike force is heading for the Arabian Sea no doubt to watch the Strait of Hormuz which Iran controls, and if closed, would restrict trade and impact global oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz is a choke point at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. It is used to transport about 20% of global daily oil consumption. Iran effectively controls this crucial shipping route because it is a coastal state bordering this narrow stretch of water.
China, the world’s largest crude importer, is the main buyer of oil from OPEC producer Iran, leaving Beijing uniquely exposed to any supply disruption from conflict in the Middle East. Iran and Russia are strategic allies and form an axis in the Caucasus alongside Armenia. Iran and Russia are also military allies in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq and partners in Afghanistan and post-Soviet Central Asia.
The Russian Federation is also the chief supplier of arms and weaponry to Iran. 34.6% of Iranian exports are to China, consisting mainly of oil, in violation of international sanctions, its second, third and fourth largest export partners are Turkey, India and Pakistan respectively.
Since 2020-2025 this critical route has been used to transport an average of 14.8 million barrels a day of crude oil and natural gas liquids, 5.5 million barrels a day of petroleum products and 10.8 billion cubic feet per day of LNG. The closure of the strait, which cannot take effect until endorsed by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, would significantly impact global oil and gas supplies and could potentially create energy crises.
President Trump knows this being a business tycoon and wanting to boost the American economy. However, he has stated publically that any country doing business with Iran will be subjected to a 25% tariff on any business conducted with the United States.
There are at least five options on the table for the Iranian regime issued by the United States. 1. Surrender to the civilians. 2. Release all prisoners detained. 3. Give up their enriched Uranium. 4. Give up their ballistic missile programme and 5. Stop killing people. The question can be raised; “Will President Trump go to the aid of the Iranian civilians as he promised to do? If he goes ahead what will Russia and China do if the United States takes control of the Strait of Hormuz?
At present there exists a trade war between the United States with China that has been ongoing since 2018, marked by tariffs and trade barriers imposed by both countries in response to perceived unfair trade practices. As of 2025, the conflict has escalated significantly, with high tariffs affecting a wide range of goods from both nations.
As for the Body of Messiah in Iran they are still suffering. Christians, especially converts from Islam, are facing heightened persecution amid the ongoing protests in Iran. The Iranian government views Christians as national security threats, leading to arrests and heavy prison sentences for those involved in religious activities and many have been hanged for their faith, and the persecution undoubtedly continues.
The protests, driven by economic hardship, oppression and demands for political change, have resulted in mass arrests and violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces. Reports indicate that Christians have been among those killed or injured during the protests, as they often participate in demonstrations advocating for freedom and justice.
Despite the risks, many Iranian Christians are actively involved in the protests, motivated by a desire for dignity and justice. They are providing aid to protesters, such as food and medical assistance, while also sharing their faith with those in need. The internet blackout has made it difficult for Christians both within and without Iran to communicate with family and friends, leading to feelings of isolation and fear for many.
Many Christians report losing contact with loved ones and are concerned about their safety amid the unrest. In an interview online, being broadcast on a Christian network, one Iranian pastor in the United States who has contact with some fellow believers in Iran was weeping as he spoke about the terrible atrocities being perpetrated upon faithful New Covenant believers by the repressive Iranian regime.
Through his tears he acknowledged the sovereignty of God while at the same time begging the United States government to take action against the Iranian regime. We need to keep praying for the Body of Messiah in Iran and that the LORD might intervene at this time and use the United States to deal with the regime and restrain it.
In all of these matters we must always be guided by the Word of God. As our Triune God Himself has said; “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please” (Isaiah 46:8-10).
We know from what the prophet Daniel wrote that there is a principality or demonic entity over Iran who was over that nation in the time of Daniel and is still there behind the current despotic demonic regime operating in these last of the last days (Daniel 10:12-14). The United States cannot fight this entity over Iran by human weapons alone. It will take the supernatural power of God. Now He may use President Trump to deal with the Iranian regime to alleviate the pressure being applied to the civilian population and to restrain the demonic regime. Having said this we know that Iranian military forces will join the invasion force that comes against Israel as prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel (38: 5). So the Ayatollah regime will still be active in some way. See the article “The Prince over Persia”
Having said all of this, God has a wonderful future for the people of Iran. In the prophet Jeremiah we have a prophecy concerning Elam which was also known as Persia and today is Iran (Jeremiah 49:34-39).
In this prophecy we are told that God will, break the bow of Elam the mainstay of their might. Historically the Elamites were very good archers. God Himself will deal with the missile launching sites. He will exile those who follow the wicked regime. He will shatter the regime before their foes that seek their lives and bring disaster upon the demonic regime and its principality reigning over them. The LORD will pursue them with the sword until He has made an end of them.
After God has removed the regime from Iran, and destroyed its military forces on the mountains of Israel, He will set His throne in Iran after completely destroying her king and officials. God is going to restore the fortunes of Iran in days to come. In the Millennial Messianic Kingdom Iran will be a prosperous and international nation where the Messiah our Lord Jesus will be worshipped and glorified because He will have been enthroned in the minds and the hearts of the Iranian people! Selah. See the article “I Will Break the Bow of Elam” Published on March 2nd 2018.
