‘Mullahs are desperate and scrambling’: Pete Hegseth’s faith-war rhetoric faces scrutiny amid Iran conflict

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth provides updates on the continued military operations on Iran during a press briefing on the Iran war at the Pentagon on March 19, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (AFP Photo)

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faces criticism for infusing evangelical Christian rhetoric and practices into Pentagon leadership amid conflict with Iran, raising concerns about undermining military secularism and alienating diverse service members.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing growing scrutiny over his use of overtly religious rhetoric and practices within the Pentagon, particularly as the United States remains engaged in a widening conflict with Iran. Critics say his blending of conservative evangelical Christianity with military leadership risks undermining the institution’s secular foundations, even as Hegseth argues that faith is a source of strength for troops during wartime.

Since taking office, Hegseth has drawn attention for introducing religious elements into official spaces, including hosting monthly worship services and invoking Biblical themes in public messaging. His remarks during the ongoing conflict have amplified concerns. At a recent Pentagon briefing, he said, “The mullahs are desperate and scrambling,” referring to Iran’s clerical leadership, before reciting Psalm 144: “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”

Hegseth has also framed the conflict in religious terms. In a recent interview, he said, “We’re fighting religious fanatics who seek a nuclear capability in order for some religious Armageddon. But from my perspective, I mean, obviously I’m a man of faith who encourages our troops to lean into their faith, rely on God.” While he has not explicitly linked the war to Biblical prophecy, such language has raised concerns among scholars and watchdog groups.

Matthew D. Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University who studies religious extremism, said, “The U.S. voluntarily going to war against a Muslim country with the military under the leadership of Pete Hegseth is exactly the kind of scenario that people like me were warning about before the election and throughout his appointment process.” He added that Hegseth’s rhetoric “can only inflame and reinforce the fears and deep animosity that the regime in Iran has towards the U.S.”

Hegseth’s past writings and symbolism have further fueled the debate. In his 2020 book “American Crusade,” he wrote that those who benefit from Western civilisation should “thank a crusader.” He also has tattoos linked to crusader imagery, including the Jerusalem Cross and the phrase “Deus Vult,” or “God wills it,” which he has described as “the rallying cry of Christian knights as they marched to Jerusalem.”

At the same time, unverified allegations have surfaced claiming that US military commanders have invoked Biblical prophecy in relation to the war. These claims stem from Mikey Weinstein, head of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, who said he received complaints from hundreds of service members. However, The Associated Press has not been able to verify these claims. Weinstein declined to provide documentation, citing fears of retaliation among troops. Other major watchdog groups, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said they have not received similar complaints. The Pentagon has declined to comment.

The broader debate also reflects divisions within Christian thought itself. Some evangelical leaders, such as pastor John Hagee of Christians United for Israel, have framed the conflict in prophetic terms, saying, “Prophetically, we’re right on cue.” Others, including pastor Doug Wilson of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, reject such interpretations, arguing that most apocalyptic events have already occurred.

Hegseth’s influence is also being felt in policy decisions. Under his leadership, the Pentagon has moved to ban transgender troops, scale back diversity initiatives and review the role of women in combat. He has also pledged to reform the military chaplain corps, arguing that religious expression has been diluted. In a December message, he said chaplains’ spiritual role had been minimized “in an atmosphere of political correctness and secular humanism.”

Critics warn that such changes risk alienating service members from diverse backgrounds. Youssef Chouhoud, a political scientist at Christopher Newport University, said, “The intrusion of Christian nationalist policy, not just Christian nationalist rhetoric … that is what’s troubling.” Rabbi Laurence Bazer, a retired US Army colonel and chaplain, echoed those concerns, saying, “The U.S. military reflects the full diversity of this country — people of every faith step forward to serve. That diversity is a strength worth protecting.”

As the conflict continues, the debate over faith and military leadership in the United States is likely to intensify, with Hegseth’s approach placing him at the centre of a broader ideological and institutional contest.