Post 4: Why Iran and Israel Are on the Brink
A Historical (kinda) and Cultural Overview of the Conflict
As headlines warn of escalating war between Israel and Iran, many Christians are left confused, fearful, or tempted to disengage. What lies beneath this crisis isn’t just political—it’s ideological, religious, and deeply historical.
I love history, but it’s a casual love. I’m not a historian, and nearly all my formal historical study has focused on biblical times and church history. But living in the Middle East—among ancient Egyptian ruins, exploring the remains of Roman cities, and walking where Jesus walked—sparked a deeper curiosity.
One could say that the history of the world has nearly always been centered around the Middle East. And if we’re to consider how Christlike love manifests in a time of war, we must first understand the story behind today’s conflict and the people caught in the middle.
Who Are the People of Iran and Israel?
Israel: A Nation Reborn in the 20th Century
Modern Israel was established in 1948 as a homeland for Jews after the Holocaust. The majority of Israeli citizens are Jewish (about 74%), but the country is also home to Arab Muslims, Christians, and Druze citizens who make up over 20% of the population.
Israel's Population (Within 1948 Borders + East Jerusalem)
As of 2024, the State of Israel reports a population of approximately 9.8 million people. This includes residents of pre-1967 Israel and East Jerusalem (annexed by Israel after the Six-Day War). It does not include most of the West Bank or Gaza Strip, which are under Israeli control but not officially part of Israel and are therefore referred to as the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT).
Demographic Breakdown:
- Jewish: ~73% (approx. 7.1 million)
- Includes secular, traditional, Orthodox, and Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews
- Arab Citizens of Israel: ~21% (approx. 2.0 million)
- Mostly Palestinian by heritage, these individuals hold Israeli citizenship
- Religious makeup includes Muslims (~17%), Christians (~1.5%), and Druze (~1.5%)
- Other (non-Jewish, non-Arab): ~5%
- Includes recent immigrants, especially from Russia and Eastern Europe, with limited or no religious classification under Israeli law
These Arab citizens of Israel—often referred to as Arab Israelis—are descendants of Palestinians who remained within Israel's borders after 1948. Though they have citizenship and voting rights, many face ongoing systemic inequality and cultural exclusion. Most speak Arabic as their first language and identify as Palestinian in heritage.
Who Are the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories?
Palestinians living in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza—collectively known as the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)—are not citizens of Israel, nor do they hold recognized citizenship in any other state.
- They do not have internationally recognized passports (most hold temporary travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority or neighboring countries).
- They cannot vote in Israeli elections, though Israeli policies and military actions deeply affect their lives.
- Movement is heavily restricted by Israeli checkpoints, border closures, and permit systems.
- Many live under military occupation, while others are governed by the Palestinian Authority (West Bank) or Hamas (Gaza), both with limited sovereignty.
This has created a stateless population—millions of people without full political rights, legal protections, or freedom of movement.
Approximate Figures:
- West Bank: ~3.2 million Palestinians
- Gaza Strip: ~2.0 million Palestinians
The Bigger Picture: Between the River and the Sea
When you combine all populations from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, the total number is approximately 15 million people, and demographically close to equal:
- About 7.3 million Jews
- About 7.7 million Arabs/Palestinians
Understanding this demographic balance helps reframe simplistic narratives of majority/minority power. It also underscores the human complexity behind headlines—and the moral and theological imperative to seek justice and peace for all who call the land home.
Iran: An Ancient Civilization with a Modern Identity
Iran—historically known as Persia—has a rich history spanning thousands of years. The transformation into the Islamic Republic of Iran as we know it today occurred through key historical shifts in the 20th century.
Basic Facts:
- Population: ~88 million
- Language: Persian (Farsi)
- Iranians are not Arab and do not speak Arabic as their native language.
- Religion: ~90–95% Shia Muslim; also includes Sunnis, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and Baha’is
- Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Persian, with Kurds, Azeris, Lurs, Baluchis, and others
Modern History Highlights:
- 1906–1911: Iran’s Constitutional Revolution established a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament (Majles) and limited royal power. This marked the birth of modern Iranian democracy—though it was always contested by monarchist and foreign interests.
- 1921–1925: Reza Khan, a military officer, staged a coup and eventually abolished the Qajar dynasty, crowning himself Reza Shah Pahlavi. He emphasized Persian nationalism, secularization, and modernization—while increasingly centralizing power and suppressing dissent.
- 1941: Under pressure from the Allies during World War II, Reza Shah was forced to abdicate in favor of his son, Mohammad Reza Shah, who took the throne with British and Soviet backing. Though the monarchy continued, democratic institutions—including the elected parliament—remained active.
- 1951: Mohammad Mossadegh, a respected nationalist and member of parliament, was appointed Prime Minister by the Shah with the approval of the elected Majles (parliament), as required by Iran’s constitutional system. He quickly moved to nationalize Iran’s oil industry, previously controlled by British companies.
- 1953: In response, the U.S. and U.K. orchestrated a coup (Operation Ajax) to overthrow Mossadegh, restore the Shah’s full authority, and return oil control to Western hands. Mossadegh was arrested, and the Shah ruled with expanded powers. The event left a lasting scar on Iranian political memory and fueled deep anti-Western sentiment.
As liberty-loving Americans, we must not forget that our government helped overthrow a democratically supported leader—Mohammad Mossadegh—to preserve oil interests and reinstate a monarchy.
1979: The Islamic Revolution
This was the watershed moment for modern Iran:
- Widespread unrest over the Shah’s authoritarianism, Westernization, and corruption erupted in mass uprisings.
- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, a Shia cleric in exile, returned to lead a revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established the Islamic Republic of Iran.
- The new regime blended Shia theology with political power, led by clerics under a system known as “Velayat-e Faqih” (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist).
Since then, Iran has been ruled by Islamic jurists, combining elections with strong clerical control. While the regime remains authoritarian and antagonistic toward Israel and the U.S., many ordinary Iranians are intellectual, culturally rich, and deeply disillusioned with their government.
A significant portion of Iran’s population is under 30, and increasingly connected to the global world through education, technology, protest, and—as of this week—reportedly, uncensored internet access via Starlink.
We must not reduce either nation to its most extreme voices. As Christians, we are called to humanize, not dehumanize. Each of these countries is filled with people made in the image of God.
The War Behind the War: Proxy Conflict
While Iran and Israel avoided direct warfare for decades, the conflict has now escalated into open and direct hostilities—with missiles, drones, and airstrikes exchanged in 2024. Yet for years, their struggle played out in proxy wars throughout the region:
- Hezbollah in Lebanon: Iran’s most powerful proxy, heavily armed and actively engaged in rocket fire into northern Israel during recent clashes.
- Hamas in Gaza: Though Sunni, Hamas has received Iranian funding and weapons—particularly evident in the October 2023 war and the months of sustained fighting since.
- Syria: Iranian-backed militias operate in Syria, bringing Iranian influence to Israel’s northern border and drawing regular Israeli airstrikes.
This proxy network has long made Iran’s influence a regional force, but the current war has shattered many of the informal boundaries. What was once a "shadow war" is now moving into the open.
Nuclear Ambitions and Apocalyptic Fear
Iran’s nuclear program has long been the most dangerous flashpoint—and in the current war, it looms larger than ever.
While Iran officially insists its nuclear development is peaceful, Israel and much of the international community believe Iran is advancing toward nuclear weapons capability. In recent years, Israel has conducted cyberattacks, airstrikes, and targeted assassinations to slow or sabotage Iran’s program.
Now, as open conflict escalates, fears are rising that Iran’s nuclear facilities could become direct military targets—or worse, that Iran could pursue nuclear breakout as a deterrent. The stakes are no longer theoretical.
Meanwhile, Iranian leaders continue to make apocalyptic public statements envisioning a future without Israel. These declarations—though often dismissed as rhetoric—carry enormous weight in a region where words quickly become war. For many Israelis, they reinforce a long-standing sense of existential threat, and for others, they provide fuel for hardline calls to act before it's too late.
U.S. Involvement and Fragile Alliances
The United States continues to play a central role in the unfolding conflict:
- A close military and intelligence ally of Israel, with deployments in the region already targeted by Iranian proxies.
- A long-time adversary of Iran, reimposing sanctions, walking away from nuclear diplomacy, and preparing regional defenses.
- A wary partner of Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE—many of whom fear Iranian expansion but also oppose further destabilization.
With Iranian-linked groups attacking U.S. positions, and American naval assets intercepting regional threats, the danger of broader escalation is increasing daily. This is no longer a distant crisis—it’s a live conflict drawing in global powers.
What Christians Must Understand
Why This Matters Now
For followers of Jesus, this isn't about picking sides. A war between Iran and Israel will devastate the region—claiming the lives of ordinary Jews, Muslims, and Christians who long for peace.
The Image of God in Every Person
Let’s fight our apathy and remember that every person in this conflict—Jew, Muslim, Christian—is made in the image of God and is someone we are called to love as neighbor.
Four Ways to Respond as Peacemakers
We must:
- Pray for peace with eyes wide open
- Resist baptizing military action with theological language
- Advocate for just policies that protect human dignity
- Recognize that Christ’s Kingdom is not advanced by missiles, but by mercy
Coming Next:
Post 5: The Danger of Dispensationalism—How End Times Theology Can Fuel War
This post is part of a multi-part series exploring how Christians can respond faithfully to the unfolding war in Israel and Iran. You can read earlier entries here:
- Post 1: Before You Choose a Side – Why We Must Think Theologically in a Time of War
- Post 2: Is Modern Israel the Israel of the Bible? – Read here
- Post 3: Zionism, the Church, and the Politics of Promise – Read here