US military commanders using 'end times' rhetoric to justify Iran war

A watchdog group has reported that some US military commanders have invoked extremist Christian rhetoric, including biblical "end times" narratives, to justify operations in Iran to service members.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) says it has received over 200 complaints from troops across the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Space Force. One complaint, filed by a noncommissioned officer (NCO), claims their commander encouraged soldiers to frame the potential conflict as "part of God's divine plan," citing passages from the Book of Revelation related to Armageddon and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

The NCO alleged that their commander stated:

"President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth."

This complaint was filed on behalf of 15 troops, including 11 Christians, one Muslim, and one Jewish service member, and was shared with independent journalist Jonathan Larsen.

Mikey Weinstein, MRFF president and Air Force veteran, said the reports highlight a growing influence of Christian extremism within the military. "Military members are not really able to stand up for themselves, because your military superior is not your shift manager at Starbucks," he said. He added that commanders' euphoria around a "biblically-sanctioned" war violates the separation of church and state.

The complaints also reference Pete Hegseth, the US Defense Secretary, known for endorsing Christian nationalist beliefs and the doctrine of "sphere sovereignty," derived from Christian reconstructionism. The philosophy advocates patriarchal family structures and has historically promoted capital punishment for homosexuality. In 2025, Hegseth reshared content from pastor Doug Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, who opposed women serving in military leadership or combat roles.

The Pentagon declined to directly address the complaints, instead sharing public remarks by Hegseth on operations in Iran.

Weinstein warned that the trend raises concerns about religious extremism influencing military decision-making, especially in contexts where troops are deployed to conflict zones.