Right now, a brutal war is unfolding in the Middle East. Iran and Israel are trading explosive blows, decimating communities and claiming lives. Yet, amid the destruction, many Iranians are reportedly celebrating.

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Why would these people, actively being attacked by Israel, be celebrating? In a recent CBN article, Lana Silk, CEO of Transform Iran and a previous IFA webcast guest, explains:

“The immediate reaction that we got from Iran was, for want of a better word, celebration,” she told CBN News. “I’ve seen videos going viral on social media with young people throwing parties literally as they watch the missiles coming down … It’s been surreal looking at that thinking, ‘Wow, these are people under attack and yet they welcome it.’”

Silk said she’s even seen messages from Iranians personally thanking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “for finally doing something about this brutal regime.”

According to Silk, many Iranians are happy that their corrupt, oppressive leaders are finally being held accountable. Although there is some anxiety over food and gas shortages caused by the war, Silk and many Iranians are hopeful for change.

After all, it’s not hard to see why Iranians would be hopeful. As Silk explains, the people have been “brutalized for decades” by their leaders:

Silk explained that the dire situation in Iran has driven this reaction, calling the scenario there “intense” and detailing the many ways the government has restricted people’s rights.

…

“The people of Iran have been brutalized for decades now by this government, and a lot of people use the word ‘traumatized’ — that there is so much trauma across the country that people are dealing with from the implications of a controlling regime,” she said. “To the secondary implications of what people then do to each other when they’re in such dire circumstances.”

Israel’s attacks on Iran present a chance. This war could bring an end to the oppressive government that has harmed the people of Iran for decades. In light of this, we should pray. Let’s pray that revival spreads across Iran and that God would protect His people there!

How are you praying for Iran in the midst of this conflict? Share your prayers and scriptures below.

(Excerpt from CBN. Photo Credit: Stringer/Getty Images)