Whether the US war against Iran is nearing its end remains uncertain. Although Trump claims the "military action will gradually de-escalate," on Saturday (March 21) he issued a final ultimatum: if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened within 48 hours, the US will target power plants and other civilian infrastructure. This signals an escalation of the fighting. More alarming, some US soldiers have received messages framing the war against Iran as a "holy war"—the apocalyptic final battle foretold in the Bible's Book of Revelation.
This rhetoric matches the extreme Christian ideology actively promoted by Secretary of War. CNN's review of his recent statements reveals that he casts the war against Iran as a thousand-year reenactment of the "Crusades." Having this religious zealot leading the conflict makes it especially terrifying.
Hegseth calls himself a “modern Crusader,” branding the Iran war a “holy mission” and preaching religious zeal in monthly Pentagon prayer meetings.
According to CNN, the watchdog group Military Religious Freedom Foundation revealed that since the war began, some soldiers received orders from superiors describing the conflict as part of the "end-time final battle" predicted in the Book of Revelation. Other messages reportedly claim the outbreak of war with Iran is meant to usher in Christ’s second coming.
The foundation did not name who issued these messages nor confirm any direct link to Hegseth. However, CNN noted that in recent interviews, he repeatedly referred to “God’s guidance” and the “Christian mission,” framing the conflict in religious terms. He described Iran as a “mad regime obsessed with Islamic fantasy” and portrayed the war's purpose as a righteous battle to purge evil — steeped in religious fanaticism.
Earlier in an interview with CBS, he stated Iran should not doubt an American victory because the US is backed by a supreme power—an "Almighty God" protecting troops as they carry out their holy mission.
Later, while receiving the bodies of fallen soldiers, he said, “The Lord holds my hand in this war and teaches my fingers how to command the battle,” calling it a fight “for faith” and a war of “good over evil.”
Secretary of War's Fanatical Crusade
Not only does he harbor this intense religious fanaticism himself, but he actively promotes “brainwashing” rituals within the War Department, holding monthly prayers designed to embed his extreme beliefs. This has shaped a cadre of “faith warriors” with even deeper religious conviction. Moreover, he invited far-right conservative pastor Doug Wilson—a notorious Christian nationalist—to preach to War Department personnel, turning Wilson into a kind of ideological mentor inside the military.
Before even becoming Defense Secretary (later renamed War Secretary), Hegseth had already earned a reputation as a religious fanatic, sparking heated debate. In 2020, he published American Crusade, openly calling himself a “modern-day crusader” and arguing that the U.S. must revive the Crusades era from a thousand years ago. He proposed launching a “holy war” not only against Islamic forces but also against domestic and foreign leftists as well as “communist China.” He specifically insisted Islamic countries must be denied nuclear weapons (targeting Iran), and if necessary, bombed to prevent any challenge to Christianity.
He went so far as to tattoo the Crusader emblem on his body, bearing the Latin phrase Deus Vult, meaning “God’s will.” He explained the tattoo represented the “battle cry of Christian knights marching on Jerusalem,” and insisted Americans must fight today with the same zeal as those Christian brothers a millennium ago.
Looking back, starting in 1095, the Papacy rallied Western European nations to form Crusader armies, repeatedly launching brutal campaigns against Islamic empires to reclaim the Christian “holy city” of Jerusalem. These battles were ruthless, with Crusaders slaughtering tens of thousands of Muslim civilians after capturing cities. Ultimately, the Islamic empires repelled the Crusaders, ending this violent chapter of history.
The Crusades a thousand years ago were marked by mass slaughter of Muslim civilians wherever they went—an extremely terrifying chapter in history.
Historical Crusades and Modern Echoes
When Trump took office, he tapped Hegseth as Defense Secretary. Many already feared he would inject extreme religious ideology into the Pentagon — and since that suited Trump perfectly, Hegseth sailed through. Now he leads the charge in this 'holy war' against Iran, fulfilling his long-held dream of reenacting the Crusades.
Some American scholars told Al Jazeera that framing this conflict as a 'holy war' carries serious risks. If Trump and Hegseth raise the banner of religious belief with the goal of eradicating evil, the consequences become harder to contain — and compromise nearly impossible to reach.
Current Risks of Holy War Framing
Pope Leo XIV has voiced deep concern over this development. Recently, a group of American Christian leaders gathered at the White House to pray for Trump’s attack on Iraq, which unsettled the Pope. Without naming names, he suggested that “Christian leaders responsible for the war should go repent.”
Rational voices should heed the Pope’s warning. But by now, Trump and Hegseth are consumed by fanaticism and deaf to reason.
Lai Ting-yiu
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