Iran (MNN)–Iran continues its nuclear dialogue with the world. The hard-line government remains defiant in the face of sanctions from the United Nations.
Attempts to defuse international tensions have stalemated thus far. Many of the Western nations involved with the International Atomic Energy Agency accuse Iran of using its civilian nuclear program as a cover to build weapons. It’s a charge Tehran denies.
It’s serious enough though, that the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council will meet to discuss Iran’s refusal to back down in Moscow next week.
But, what appears to be a belligerent mask to the world isn’t necessarily the reality inside the borders. SAT-7’s David Harder notes that, “The young people are quite depressed about the future and don’t have a lot of hope in this whole issue of the nuclear situation…and [they’re] wondering if it could potentially even spark a war or greater sanctions, or do things that could put the country way behind economically from where it has grown over the years, just adds to this level of uncertainty.”
This is where the partnership between ICB and SAT-7 becomes even more critical. ICB is a non-political, indigenous, inter-denominational voice for Farsi-speaking Christians living in and near Iran.
ICB also operates a counseling center in Europe that handles phone calls, e-mails and letters from viewers. With the tensions running high, there seems to be a trend in growing disillusionment.
Harder says people are responding to the Gospel. “We’re able to beam in messages of hope and youth programs that the young people can identify with as they’re going through these struggles and wondering about the future, they can learn about hope in Christ and what Christians truly believe.”
