Inside its borders Iran has clamped down on internet access, so word of President Donald Trump's Memorandum of Understanding has been slowly leaking out. But Dr. Hormoz Shariat of Iran Alive Ministries says it's been a dagger to the heart for the Iranians.
“They consider this as a death sentence for them,” he told AFN.
On March 6, seven days into the conflict, in a Truth Social post Trump wrote: “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).”
Shariat says from the perspective of the Iranian people, the deal empowers the repressive regime because it gives it much needed cash. While President Trump has promised no U.S. dollars will go to the regime, it promises to lift sanctions if the Iranians comply with the vague terms of deal. It's bringing up some painful memories for the Iranians.
“This is Obama deal. They get the money, and they will use it for the nuclear bomb and develop another underground nuclear site,” Shariat predicts.
Shariat says the Iranian government has just one goal: they want to survive.
“They are hoping that they can extend this to November, and in November Trump will lose some of his power, and in two years he will be gone, and they will start negotiating with a new president.”
He says the Iranian people are not happy with this deal. They feel betrayed by President Trump.
“The people of Iran are very disillusioned, very disappointed, very fearful. They cannot even come on the streets; they will be killed.”
The flip side of feeling betrayed
Though the people are frustrated, the deal appears to be creating an amazing openness to the gospel.
The atmosphere inside Iran is described as disillusioned, disappointed, fearful and hopeless. But Shariat says the people are suddenly open to the gospel.
“I was talking to our leaders yesterday, and they were saying (there is an) amazing open spiritual atmosphere in Iran.”
In January the Revolutionary Guard Corps mowed down more than 30,000 protesters in the streets, according to some reports, in an attempt to maintain control of its civilians. Iranians escaped into their homes in fear.
Shariat says that's all changed.
“The fear is gone. We go on a public street, and we see people freely listen and talk about Jesus Christ, because before they were afraid, (saying) it's dangerous, they will get us, they will kill us.”
Now those same people have found an underground church in Iran that even experts weren't aware of.
“People, even non-Christians openly talk about Jesus. You’re finding so many Christians out there. When we talk, they're not fearful and hiding their faith,” Shariat said.
He says wherever there are persecuted Christians there's been a counterintuitive, supernatural openness to the gospel. He says the Iranian people have also reached the end of their tether.
“The people of Iran are saying we have no future. If we die, we die. We don't care. We're just going to express what we believe. If they kill us, they will kill us.”
