One thing people can’t say about 2026 is that it hasn’t started with a proverbial bang, as well as stuff happening around the world that we don’t hear about, with undoubtedly a lot more to come. We did hear about Venezuela, which I recently wrote about (see here) for the first time and now my news feeds are awash with goings on in Iran, even though (unsurprisingly) the BBC have been tardy in reporting. I have written about Iran six times, over 10 years!

1. God is at work and building His Church in Iran
2. Iran, Israel and Trump
3. Iran and Israel square up
4. Understanding Iran
5. Who is our natural ally: Saudi or Iran?
6. Sunni and Shia; Saudi and Iran

What these posts demonstrate is that I have been watching what is happening in Iran over a long period, ever since the Shah of Persia, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was deposed in January 1979 during the Iranian Revolution, who left Iran on January 16, 1979, following widespread protests and an army mutiny, marking the end of the 2,500-year-old monarchy in Iran. I have long been impressed by the Iran’s rich cultural history, including what can be picked up in the Hebrew scriptures, starting with King Cyrus. Besides the harsh form of Islam dominating the country, there is the amazing turning to Christianity and resultant clampdowns. Then there are Iran’s part in current Middle East conflicts, including that in Gaza, and especially that involving Saudi Arabia, Israel and the USA, with its sponsorship of terrorism involving the likes of Hamas and Hezbollah.

Despite having already done a good deal of checking out of a variety of written and video sources about what is going on, along with my earlier studies, there is a lot I don’t know. It is not helped by there being a news blackout by the Iranian authorities. That there is a massive uprising across the country there can be little doubt, including by those same authorities attempting to squash what is going on, including killing protestors in the process. To what extent, it is difficult to say. The protestors live in hope for external help and despite the danger to their lives persist in what they are doing. The USA, under Trump, has threatened to intervene and there have movements in its military, but to date POTUS is keeping his cards close to his chest, with no doubt developments to come.

As for whether there will be a reversal of the takeover that took place in 1979, it is too early to say, as well as whether the late Shah’s son, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has been a prominent figure advocating for regime change in Iran and potentially reclaiming the throne, can lead any regime change. He’s involved in various initiatives, including the Phoenix Project of Iran, aiming to unite opposition forces and envision a post-clerical Iran, but questions have been asked by those wanting regime change whether he is the right person to lead, and if not him then who? When the late Shah was deposed, there were questions over his wisdom as a ruler, e.g. when declaring himself King of kings in 1967 (a title that can only apply to the true Christ). Arguably, his folly, led to Ayatollah Khomeini taking over. Meanwhile, I continue to watch and pray.