Reports of Iranian joy have been spreading through word of mouth as tensions continue to burn between Israel and Iran.
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That may seem like a strange reaction – the inhabitants of the nation are being attacked by enemies expressing their elevation. However, Transform Iran CEO Lana Silk said the response from residents made perfect sense as the situation within Iran is so dark and difficult.
“The immediate response we got from Iran was a celebration because we wanted better words,” she told CBN News. “I’ve seen videos go viral on social media. Young people are literally watching missiles fall down. It’s surreal looking at the thought of ‘Wow, these are people under attack, but they’re still welcome.’ ”
Silk said he even saw messages from the Iranians personally thank Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Silk acknowledged that some of the joys, such as food and gas shortages, evacuation and other issues, could have been mitigated by the reality of the war, but the elation still exists.
“There’s definitely a price to pay, but I think most people think it’s worth paying for what’s next,” she said.
Silk explained that the dire situation in Iran has driven this response, calling the scenario “severe” and detailing many ways the government can limit people’s rights.
From the battle over a scarf to the erosion of basic freedom, living in Iran is not easy.
“The Iranian people have been brutalized by this government for decades, and many people use the term “trauma.” This is because people are dealing with it in the sense of the ruling regime, and there is so much trauma throughout the country,” she said. “When people are in such a tragic situation, it’s a secondary meaning of what people do to each other.”
Silk continued. “They are really suffocating under government retention, they tried and failed for freedom from under this administration, and paid a high price for it.”
Israeli attacks offer the possibility of change within Iran. According to Israel, the shift from “proxied war” to aggressive action is also an example of a long-standing movement from negative rhetoric between nations to intense action, according to Israel, which hampers an increasingly dangerous Iranian regime.
“I’m not going to give up anytime soon,” Silk said. “So I say I’m nervous about watching the rest of the Middle East.
Silk said Iran has long prayed and prepared for the possibility of an Iranian change of government, setting the foundation for his ability to spread the gospel more freely if Iran opens and restrictions eases.
“As a Christian ministry, we are very careful about this and we are urgently preparing so that once the church is free, the church is ready too,” she said.
Today, Iranian Christians must be secret, as their belief systems are not permitted. In particular, children must bear the burden of hiding their faith and working to exercise and quietly spread them.
“They mostly connect digitally,” Silk said. “They are limited to their homes, their churches and their direct environmental impact. They have to be aware of who they are talking to and who they are revealing themselves to.”
Ultimately, silk is full of hope.
“I think this is a time of hope that there will be a change we have been praying for,” she said. “There are some real practical possibilities happening here. Pray to both countries. Pray for the wisdom of Israeli leaders and how will they progress towards the end they are seeking? Pray for peace and protection against the innocence of both countries.”
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