Iran (MNN) – Negotiations between Iran and the United States are playing out like a high-stakes staring contest. Both nations are currently reviewing another draft peace proposal, but each side still believes it has leverage.

Who will blink first?

Lana Silk with Transform Iran says, “What we have here is an American side who wants to believe Iran is weakened enough militarily and economically to be more amenable to concessions, and an Iranian side who wants to believe they have enough leverage through their control of the Strait of Hormuz and the US resistance to full-scale war to come out of this with their pride and their objectives intact. But it’s a risky game on both sides.”

Tehran, Iran (Photo courtesy of Khashayar Kouchpeydeh/Unsplash)

Even with negotiations underway, the threat of escalation is still present.

“I believe the critical components of what the US wants from Iran – so stopping sponsoring regional militia, stopping enriching or stockpiling uranium – Iran will never be willing to give. Though it’s also quite possible Iran will say what she has to say in order to get what she wants.”

Silk explains, “We’re also dealing with a Middle Eastern culture here. Preserving honor is extremely important. It would be unthinkable for Iran’s leadership to surrender after such heavy losses internally without something to show for it.”

For Iranian Christians and others living under the ayatollah’s rule, the future feels deeply uncertain.

“From the perspective of the people of Iran and the Church in Iran, without regime change, none of this matters. And if Iran is left with this regime intact, albeit weakened, then we can expect much greater control and oppression internally in the years to come.”

Still, the Church presses on.

(Photo courtesy of Zahra Amiri/Unsplash)

“We keep doing what we have always done,” Silk says. “We pray in faith, we pray with authority, we pray for our leaders on all sides, and we remember that God is not surprised by any of this. He still has good plans for Iran and all the nations caught up in this. So we just do what we do. We share the Gospel courageously and uncompromisingly, [and] we disciple the many who are turning to Jesus.”

Pray for protection and boldness for Iranian believers as tensions continue. Ask God to use uncertainty in the region to draw many Iranians to Christ.

Learn more about Transform Iran at the ministry’s website.

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