Iran is living through one of the most decisive moments in its modern history. What the world often sees as headlines and social media clips is, for Iranians, a daily fight for freedom – one marked by grief, courage, and rising hope.

Two Stories Colliding

In a recent Pray With America’s Leaders interview with Kris Kubal of Intercessors for America, Lana Silk, incoming President and CEO of Transform Iran, offered a rare, firsthand look into what is truly happening inside Iran. Drawing on trusted contacts within the country and her own lived experience growing up under the Islamic Republic, Lana described a nation caught between brutal violence and a growing belief that change may finally be possible.

The Cost on the Streets: “It’s a Bloodbath”

Lana did not soften the reality facing ordinary Iranians.

“On the one hand, it’s a bloodbath. There’s devastating loss—casualties everywhere.”

Just before the interview, she received video footage from inside Iran showing bodies lining the streets, evidence of the heavy price being paid by protesters. Estimates of those killed range into the thousands, but Lana emphasized that numbers alone fail to capture the scale of suffering.

That’s just the body count. Tens of thousands of people have had their families ripped apart; their children, their parents taken from them.

The violence has created widespread fear, yet it has not extinguished the people’s resolve.

Fear and Hope Rising Side by Side

Alongside grief and trauma, Lana described another emotion spreading across Iran: hope.

“There’s this constant hope that maybe we’ve done enough … maybe there’s enough attention from the world that the story is finally going to change.”

Despite internet shutdowns, armed security forces, and severe repression, Iranians continue to protest with minimal resources, often facing live ammunition with little more than determination.

They’re not armed. They’re literally using sticks and stones or homemade weapons.

This imbalance of power is why she believes outside intervention may ultimately be necessary.

Why Outside Help May Be Decisive

Iran’s protesters face two overwhelming disadvantages: firepower and infrastructure control.

“The government can turn the lights out. They can shut the internet down.”

History offers a sobering parallel. The overthrow of the Shah in 1979, she noted, also involved external forces. “It would be remarkable for them to take this to the final stages on their own.”

At the same time, the regime is not monolithic. There is evidence of defections within the police and security forces, including videos of officers laying down their weapons.

There are defectors – a growing number of them.

Still, a significant portion of the leadership remains resolute.

An Ideological War, Not Just Political

One of the most sobering insights Lana shared is that the regime’s response is driven not only by power and corruption, but by ideology. “This is an ideological war for the Iranian leadership.”

She explained that Iran’s Supreme Leader often refers not to Iran as a nation, but to the “nation of Islam”.

He has said before it would be fine if Iran burned, as long as the Islamic cause was upheld.

This worldview helps explain the regime’s willingness to inflict extreme violence on its own people.

What Iran Was – and What Its People Remember

Many outside Iran are unaware of how different the country once was. Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran was socially open, culturally vibrant, and largely secular.

It was very westernized. You would recognize the streets, the clothes, the education.

Ironically, one of the complaints against the Shah was that he did not enforce compulsory hijab. “They wanted integrity in their faith. And of all the things we can accuse the Iranian government of, we can’t accuse them of a lack of integrity.”

The promises of justice, mercy, and care for the poor drew many to the revolution, without fully understanding the cost.

They got what they asked for, but they didn’t realize what they were really asking for.

Growing Up Under the Islamic Republic

Lana’s analysis is shaped by personal experience. Born into revolutionary Iran, she grew up under strict Islamic rule. She described schooldays that began with chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel”, enforced dress codes, and constant surveillance.

“Everything was colored by it. Everywhere was control.” Even recreational activities were segregated by gender, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Women were required to wear hijab even while swimming. Many drowned because of it.

These memories give weight to her understanding of why Iranians are risking everything today.

The Deeper Freedom Iranians Are Seeking

While political freedom matters, Lana emphasized that spiritual freedom is what ultimately sustains Iranians – especially believers facing persecution.

Nowhere in the Bible does God promise political freedom. But the freedom Jesus offers trumps all of that.

She shared testimonies from Christians imprisoned and tortured for their faith. “They tell me, ‘I would go back there in a heartbeat—for the way I experienced the presence of God.’”

Dreams, Visions, and a Spiritual Awakening

Iran is already witnessing a quiet but powerful spiritual movement. Lana explained that many Muslims come to faith through dreams and visions, forms of communication deeply respected in Iranian culture.

They’re wired to notice their dreams, especially during Ramadan.

She shared stories of Jesus appearing in dreams, healing the sick, and drawing people to Himself in deeply personal ways, often at great personal risk.

What the Church Can Do Now

There are four urgent prayer priorities:

1. Believers in Iran – isolated, at risk, and in need of strength
2. Those still seeking – longing for truth and freedom
3. Iran’s leaders – including prayers for repentance and transformation
4. Those serving on the front lines – ministries preparing for what comes next

We don’t just want an open door. We want to be ready when it opens.

Iran has dozens of languages, many without Scripture. Transform Iran is working now to prepare Bibles, train leaders, and equip the Church for this critical moment.

For more specific ways to pray for Iran

A Moment That May Not Last

Lana offered a sober reminder: openness does not last forever.

People will eventually be distracted by the cares of this world.

The time to act – pray, prepare, and support – is now.

How You Can Help

Transform Iran is meeting urgent needs today while preparing to respond to a larger humanitarian crisis if conditions worsen or the regime collapses. We need your help.

Interview originally published on: Intercessors for America