Iran (MNN) — As the United States and Iran edge toward another round of talks, Lana Silk with Transform Iran says they aren’t speaking the same language.

“Our definitions of words like ‘peace’ and even ‘negotiation’ are different,” says Silk. “We have different values in our Western values — really, our Judeo-Christian values — and Iran’s Islamic value system. There isn’t a middle ground.”

To many Western minds, “peace” means coexistence with mutual respect. But for the Iranian regime, “They are not talking about that [coexistence] when they talk about peace. They want to dominate. They want submission of everyone to Islam,” Silk says.  

A ceasefire not to be celebrated

The US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 22 has not been good news for many Iranians.

“When I heard the news of the ceasefire, my immediate reaction was disappointment, like a heart-sinking feeling,” says Silk. “Every Iranian I’ve spoken to since then, inside and outside the country, has had the same negative reaction to the ceasefire.”

Azadi Square, Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Erfan Ro via Unsplash)

Here is what one person told Transform Iran: 

“Despite all the hardship, the sound of explosions, damage to homes, and even personal injuries suffered, many of us believed that this war might finally bring us to a point of deliverance and freedom. For that reason, the announcement of a ceasefire was not seen as a sign of comfort, but rather as the loss of a hope that had begun to form in our hearts.”

The temporary pause in hostilities has also made room for the Iranian regime to focus on “internal threats.”

“I read a report that one of the judicial leaders had actually made a call to expedite executions, now that they are not in the midst of a war,” Silk says. 

No matter where talks between the US and Iran go, she says to remember that the Iranian regime has not changed. If anything, concerns should be heightened.

“Our struggle with Iran — the same security concerns, the same freedom concerns — are still there,” she says. “Iran has been humiliated. They would acknowledge that, though not publicly. Now it’s all going to be about regaining their honor and power. They still have money, weapons, their country, their resources. So this is going to be serious.”

Fight with prayer

All geopolitical concerns aside, Silk urges Christians to remember the spiritual battle.

Iran (Representative stock photo courtesy of Zahra Amiri via Unsplash)

“Iran has been a spiritual stronghold for the enemy for some time. He’s been using it for evil intent, and the fight is intensifying,” she says. 

“The church has been growing in number and in strength. The global church has been paying attention, and we are fighting — by fighting, I mean praying.” 

Please join in praying through the requests shared below. Take God at His word that it makes a difference, as James 5:16 says: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

As an outworking of your prayers, consider financially supporting Transform Iran‘s multifaceted work. Their team is delivering aid, expanding trauma counseling, and training evangelists to serve people across Iran. 

“We’re training evangelists because what the people really need is Jesus,” says Silk. “We want to make sure that we’re meeting that need as well as their practical needs right now.”

Header image is a stock photo courtesy of a user named mhrezaa via Unsplash.