Iran: Hegseth's holy war? Updated 4/5/2026

Update 4/5/2026: I must say I am appalled by Trump's tweet 48 hours before his formal Easter greeting....after threatening the Iranian people, he will bomb them into dust, and then this morning caps this off by "Glory to God". https://www.instagram.com/p/DWtunfJEZUE/The result if he succeeds or follows through reminds me of a warning about false prophets...and there are in MAGA who consider Trump the second coming/ But..you can know them by the fruits they deliver. The Pope warned the Trumpets, they who advocate violence in the name of God, will have blood on their hands. Bless the Pope

.https://www.reuters.com/.../pope-leo-says-god-rejects.../

.

This reminds me of

Matthew 7:15-20

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. ":

Committing war crimes is rotten fruit: https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2026/03/hegseth-and-trump-threaten-war-crimes.html

Trump must have had Hegseth whispering in his ear or he is responding to the Pope's condemnation of him.  

Continuing with the original post:

 Is the US being led into a war with Iran by a religious radical who sees this as a holy war?  In a scary vein is Pete Hegseth head of the Department of "War".  His view of Christianity is of the crusades and he sees life in terms of this. If he sees Iran as a holy war, we should be more than concerned.. Rationality is out the window

Update 3/30/2026: Hegseth's prayer to inflict violence on enemies got a rebuke from Pope Leo: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/29/pope-rebuke-trump-leaders-with-hands-full-of-blood

Continuing with original post:

 It's Pete Hegseth's theology that ought to concern us – Baptist News Global

From the Guardian: "US military commanders have been invoking extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify involvement in the Iran war, to troops.....The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces."

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/white-christian-nationalism-has-taken.htmlWhat 

to know about the archconservative church Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends | PBS News

Chasing the story, CNN: Analysis: Pete Hegseth wanted an ‘American Crusade.’ Now he’s leading a war in the Middle East |

Update: 3/17/2026

 CNN Politicshttps://www.cnn.com/2026/03/17/politics/joe-kent-resigns-iran-war

Do two lies work? Why not, DJT? I am listening to Trump claiming Iran was an imminent nuclear threat to the US. No one I can find other than perhaps Israel or the Saudis, thinks so. But he can use the lie to make another lie and pull out with mission accomplished. The lie he can use, we wiped out their navy, their army, their air force, no radar, no anti-aircraft, their nuclear sites..(and we keep killing their head guys. That is what regime change means????). Is that what he is trying to claim.. If true...then quit. The imminent threat is ended. Right?.. But whatever lies he makes to end this war he started with a lie are tools he can use..Lies are his stock in trade and his loyal MAGA will just say Amen.

Timing is everything: when his own base splits over isolation and affordability so much he looks weak,, then watch him declare victory, and quit. Then...if Iran keeps Hormuz closed and keeps lobbing drones at the Arab gulf states, what then?

Trump is not even a good checkers player...he only understands one move at a time, and ignores his opponents' future retaliatory moves.. Even two-dimensional checkers are beyond him.