Iranian Christians in U.S. pray for regime change, religious freedom as war rages at home

Congregants at a Chicago-area church long for a democratic Iran where all faiths can worship freely, even as some Christian leaders decry the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military conflict.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:44pm

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At a small Persian church in suburban Chicago, Iranian American congregants pray for the overthrow of Iran's theocratic government and the restoration of religious freedom in their homeland, as the U.S.-Israeli war there rages on. The pastor and members say they yearn for a day when Iranians of all faiths can worship freely, in contrast to the severe persecution of Christians and other religious minorities under the current regime. Their support for the war effort stands in stark opposition to the condemnation from some Catholic leaders, who have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and criticized the Trump administration's conduct of the conflict.

Why it matters

The war in Iran has exposed deep divisions within the Iranian American community, with some fervently supporting the U.S.-led military campaign to topple the Iranian government in hopes of securing greater religious freedoms, while others, including prominent Christian leaders, have condemned the conflict as unjustified and harmful to the Iranian people. This story highlights the complex and often conflicting perspectives on the war within the Iranian diaspora.

The details

The congregants at Kheimeh Molaghat church in Addison, Illinois, many of whom fled religious persecution in Iran, say they long for a day when Iranians of all faiths can worship freely in their homeland. The pastor, James Shahabi, was raised Muslim but converted to Christianity after encountering persecution for his father's views on separating religion and government. The church has sent thousands of Bibles in Persian to Iran over the years, despite the risks. Members like Aria Bahraman recount harrowing stories of having to discard Bibles to avoid detection by Iranian authorities. The church's online services are viewed by thousands of Persian speakers around the world, including in Iran, Afghanistan, and other countries.

  • The U.S.-Israeli war in Iran began on February 28, 2026.
  • On March 29, 2026, members of the Kheimeh Molaghat church traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend a rally of Iranian diaspora in support of the war.
  • The Palm Sunday service at Kheimeh Molaghat church took place on April 6, 2026.

The players

Rev. James Shahabi

The pastor of Kheimeh Molaghat church in Addison, Illinois, who was raised Muslim but converted to Christianity after encountering persecution for his father's views on separating religion and government.

Narjes Delacai

A 66-year-old member of Kheimeh Molaghat church who left the northern Iranian city of Mashhad decades ago.

Aria Bahraman

A 44-year-old member of Kheimeh Molaghat church who says he fled religious oppression in Iran about 15 years ago.

Pope Leo XIV

The current Roman Catholic Pope, who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and criticized the Trump administration's conduct of the conflict.

Cardinal Blase Cupich

The Archbishop of Chicago, who decried a White House video that spliced images of action scenes in movies with real videos of U.S. bombing in Iran.

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What they’re saying

“We pray to God to tear down the darkness power from Iran and bring his kingdom and give people peace. And let his name be glorified in Iran freely.”

— Rev. James Shahabi, Pastor, Kheimeh Molaghat church

“If you destroy the head of the snake, the whole snake is gone.”

— Aria Bahraman, Member, Kheimeh Molaghat church

“Trump has to finish it. He has no other option … because if he doesn't finish, the Islamic Republic will destroy the whole safety of the Middle East. They are going to get worse and worse. The U.S. has to finish it and make sure that there is a very stable, new government.”

— Rev. James Shahabi, Pastor, Kheimeh Molaghat church

“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”

— Pope Leo XIV

“Our government is treating the suffering of the Iranian people as a backdrop for our own entertainment, as if it's just another piece of content to be swiped through while we're waiting in line at the grocery store. But, in the end, we lose our humanity when we are thrilled by the destructive power of our military.”

— Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the deep divisions within the Iranian American community over the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran, with some fervently supporting the military campaign to topple the Iranian government in hopes of securing greater religious freedoms, while others, including prominent Christian leaders, have condemned the conflict as unjustified and harmful to the Iranian people. The war has exposed the complex and often conflicting perspectives on the future of Iran within the diaspora.