World Dominion and the Prince of Persia

by Nathan Shaw

To understand the present conflict in Iran, it is helpful to ask three questions:

1. What is happening?
2. What isn’t happening?
3. What can be done about it?

The territory of Iran has been dominated for millennia by a high-level demonic ruler the Bible calls the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10:13, 20-21). The Persian Empire was formed about 550 BC when Cyrus the Great conquered the Median Empire. The Persian Empire lasted for 220 years, covered a vast territory (extending as far as India, Egypt and Europe) and encompassed a large percentage of the world’s population (44 percent by some estimates). The Persian Empire was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

The Prince of Persia would like to regain its former prominence. Dominance is obtained through four strategic power bases: military, religious, political and economic. In the big picture scheme of things, here’s what is happening:

1. The agenda of the Prince of Persia is being challenged and exposed.
2. This is causing contention to break out in all four power bases simultaneously.
3. God is using these contentions to expose a much larger global agenda for world dominion.

Here is a quick summary of some of the military, religious, political and economic contentions related to the Prince of Persia.

Military Contentions

1. Iranian military force used against Iranians: On the 28th of December 2025, an uprising began within Iran. It was the largest uprising since their 1979 revolution. Tens of thousands of protesters were killed.
2. The United States Armed Forces and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF): The U.S. initiated Operation Epic Fury on the 28th of February 2026 to dismantle Iran’s military capability and remove any possibility of it developing nuclear weapons. Israel simultaneously initiated Operation Roaring Lion. Iran’s military has been seriously downgraded. The U.S. and Israel now have air supremacy over Iran.
3. Iranian military force used to provoke other nations: Iran launched unprovoked missile attacks against various Arab States.
4. Terror organizations funded by Iran: Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terror, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and Shia militias in Iraq.

The Iranian Armed Forces include the regular armed forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Police Command. The most powerful branch is the IRGC, an elite force established after the 1979 revolution. It acts independently of the regular military, directly under the Supreme Leader, and holds immense sway over Iranian politics, intelligence, and the economy.

Religious Contentions

1. Within the Islamic World: The Sunni-Shia divide within Islam manifests in rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
2. With the rest of the world: The phrases “Big Satan” and “Little Satan” were coined by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, shortly after the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The “Big Satan” refers to the United States. The “Little Satan” refers to Israel. Islamic extremism has been front and center on the world stage since the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001.
3. Within the Christian world: Recently, perspectives on the war in Iran overflowed into a religious contention between the Pope and President Trump. The Pope’s anti-war perspective led to Trump posting an AI-generated picture with Trump appearing as a healer. Some Christians considered the image blasphemous because it made Trump look like Jesus. Trump wisely removed the post. I asked God for His perspective on the Trump/healer post. He told me He loves it when His children want to be like Jesus. There is a big difference between claiming you are Jesus and wanting to be like Jesus.

Political Contentions

1. Within Iran: Fragmented factions within Iran are vying for power.
2. Within the Middle East: Arab States are aligning with Israel against Iran.
3. Within Western Nations: Many NATO nations and various European Allies of the U.S. are distancing themselves from the war in Iran, despite their reliance on Middle Eastern oil.
4. With global powers: Chinese and Russian influence in the Middle East is being exposed and significantly lessened.

Economic Contentions

1. Iran’s economy: The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is preventing Iran from selling oil, effectively strangling the already struggling Iranian economy.
2. The world economy: The Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is preventing oil from reaching world markets. More than 20 percent of the world’s oil supply goes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Each of these contentions is intertwined with narratives designed to dominate headlines and distract from the truth.

God Has A Plan

As a young Jewish man, Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians. Daniel had an excellent spirit and served in both Babylonian and Persian administrations. During his captivity, he interceded continually for Israel. His intercessions were particularly powerful because they were directed and informed by God’s intentions, heart and promises for Israel.

Daniel knew that Israel’s captivity would last for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10), but he sought greater insight from God. He earnestly cried out for 21 days. During the 21 days, the Prince of Persia tried to prevent a heavenly messenger from reaching Daniel. The Prince of Persia knew that the messenger carried strategic, high-level revelation that would disrupt his agenda for world dominion.

After 21 days, the messenger reached Daniel. Daniel gained profound insights into God’s future intentions, heart and promises for Israel (Daniel 10-12). God not only has a glorious plan for Israel, He also has a glorious plan for Iran. The Prince of Persia wants to prevent this purpose from being known. As soon as God’s intentions, heart and promises are known, intercessors can call them forth.

Here’s how you can pray for Iran right now.

1. Pray that God’s plan for Iran be released to strategic players within the nation.
2. Pray that God’s plan for Iran be released to the Iranian church.
3. Pray that false military, religious, political and economic narratives be exposed.
4. Pray that Iran will be released from military, religious, political and economic captivity.

God has a glorious plan for Persia/Iran. The story is still being written. Here’s the big picture narrative that God showed me:

• Persia conquered Babylon (539 BC).
• Persia was conquered by the Greek empire (334-330 BC).
• Persia successfully resisted Roman conquest.
• Persia was conquered by Islam (633-651 AD).
• Persia will be conquered by the good news of the kingdom.
• Persians/Iranians will declare the good news of the kingdom among the nations.

Daniel frustrated the Prince of Persia’s plans simply by calling forth God’s intentions, heart and promises. You can do the same.

© 2026 Nathan Shaw.

Related Articles:
Iran :: Legacy and Destiny – Nathan Shaw
The Middle East: Shaking and Transformation – Nathan Shaw
Middle East Winds, Holy Spirit Winds – Nathan Shaw

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Endorsement from Linda Valen (Master Potter Ministries):

There are many prophetic voices in America who are trumpeting the heart of God in this hour, but Nathan Shaw is from New Zealand! God has given him His heart for America to sound the trumpet too!

This is not a book you can read quickly! Time is needed to ponder the prophecies and let them marinate in your spirit. Their significance, along with the scriptures, teachings, revelation and insight accompanying the prophecies makes this a very important book to read.

Some of the prophecies were given four years ago and attest to the accuracy of the words since they are evident presently!! There are also many “now” words given in 2020 for America as well as other nations.

I highly recommend Nathan’s book.

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