Video: Rubio claims Iran is led by 'radical Shia clerics' seeking end of world

In early March, reports surfaced that US military commanders described the war on Iran as “anointed by Jesus”. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organisation dedicated to ensuring that all members of the US military are guaranteed religious freedom, said it has received more than 200 similar complaints from personnel serving in the army, navy, air force, marine corps, and space force. According to MRFF, one combat unit commander told non-commissioned officers (NCOs) that the Israeli-US attacks on Iran are part of God’s “plan” and that Donald Trump was “anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth”. In an interview with Fox News, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that Iran is led by “radical Shia clerics” who, he said, believe they have a “calling” to “usher in the end of the world” pic.twitter.com/UZX2apetM6 — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 1, 2026