Iran (MNN) — If Israel continues its offensive on Hamas in Gaza, Iran’s foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian is threatening an “expansion of war fronts.” His comments come after meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar.
The Iran-Hamas partnership has become increasingly obvious since Hamas’s attack on Israel. The US State Department confirmed in 2021 that Hamas terrorists receive funding, weapons, and training from Iran. Israel says Iran funnels as much as $100 million per year to Hamas.
(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)
Mike Ansari with Heart4Iran explains, “Iran has been opposed to the existence of the State of Israel since its inception in 1979. And as such, Iran has been actively seeking alliances with other Islamic groups that share the same ideological opposition to Israel.
“Also, Iran is actively involved in trying to exert his influence on politics in the Middle East by reaching proxy conflicts using non state actors like Hamas to do its bidding.”
Obviously, the result of Hamas violence is the loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives.
But Iranians are also collateral damage. The Iran government’s support to extremist organizations means less humanitarian aid and economic support for its own people.
“Iran’s vast economic and military support of the external factions like Hamas is adversely affecting the economy and the lives of ordinary Iranians,” says Ansari. “Iranians are dealing with poverty, inflation, high unemployment, and reduced access to global markets.”
Iranians often call in to Heart4Iran with their faith questions and struggles of hopelessness. The Gospel is the only thing that can meet their needs, no matter the circumstances they face.
(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)
Yet, it’s not easy. Ansari says, “Heart4Iran is providing 24/7 trauma counseling and ministry to Iranians, but no ministry is truly equipped to deal with the enormity of the crisis in Iran.”
Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, pray for Iranians to know Christ’s hope. Ask the Lord to equip and strengthen Heart4Iran ministering the Gospel to the people of Iran.
Also, Ansari requests, “Pray for those who have lost loved ones to be comforted, and for generational dissent to be replaced with peace.”
Header photo courtesy of Heart4Iran.
