Watchdog alleges commanders told US troops Iran war was 'God's divine plan'
Mar 4th 2026
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation says more than 200 service members filed complaints alleging commanders used end times Christian rhetoric to justify involvement in the Iran conflict, a claim the Pentagon did not directly answer.
- Military Religious Freedom Foundation says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches about religious coercion tied to the Iran conflict.
- One complaint, filed on behalf of 15 troops, says a commander urged troops that the conflict was part of God’s plan and cited the Book of Revelation and Armageddon.
- The same complaint quotes the commander as saying President Trump had been anointed by Jesus to 'light the signal fire in Iran' and hasten the return of Jesus.
- MRFF president Mikey Weinstein says the reports point to rising Christian extremist rhetoric in the military and a violation of separation of church and state.
- The complaint was shared with journalist Jonathan Larsen and reported by the Guardian.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is noted in the report for his embrace of Christian nationalist ideas and prior endorsement of a doctrine called sphere sovereignty, and he has promoted comments by pastor Doug Wilson opposing women in military leadership roles.
- The Pentagon did not provide a direct response to the complaints and instead circulated public clips of Hegseth discussing operations in Iran.