Iran is back on centre stage after the 12-day war of 13-24 June 2025. Many are wondering what the future holds for this country, and what recent developments portend for the wider region
By Philip Quenby
The Bible has a lot to say about Iran (formerly Persia) and some of its most prominent regions and people groups.
For example, in Genesis 14 a ruler from Elam (southwestern Iran) was one of the kings who took Lot captive.
Thousands of years later, Parthians, Medes and Elamites were among the people present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). In between, the events of Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel all have a Persian backdrop, and the Persian king Cyrus the Great is still revered by Jews and Christians for his role in enabling Jews to return from captivity in Babylon and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Some speculate that the magi who came from the east to worship Jesus originated from Yazd in southern Iran.
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