Middle East Crisis

SITUATION REPORT

Middle East Crisis

situation report

As conflict continues across parts of the Middle East, SAT-7 is responding: adapting its programming and content, mobilising prayer, and standing alongside viewers living through fear, displacement and uncertainty.

A two-week ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran on 7 April now offers some hope of de-escalation in the conflict that started on 28 February.

While headlines continue to report increasing military exchanges and regional instability, SAT-7’s focus remains clear: to provide a steady and consistent presence, spiritual and emotional support, comfort to those affected, and a distinctive voice to the wider world.

Headlines

Last updated: Tuesday 21st April 2026

The crisis continues to create operational challenges for SAT-7 in parts of the region affected by the conflict.
This year’s Nowruz (New Year) celebrations are shrouded with a deep sadness for most Iranians. The conflict has created an extensive humanitarian crisis. According to the US-based rights group HRANA, nearly 3,600 people have been killed in Iran, including 1,665 civilians and 248 children.
As conflict threatens the safety of families throughout the region, it is often mothers who bear the emotional weight, especially those in leadership.
Our Persian channel SAT-7 PARS is back on air, having secured an alternative service on the TurkmenÄlem satellite (also known as MonacoSat).
In Beirut, ongoing bombing and evacuation orders have impacted some SAT-7 studio staff and their families (all SAT-7 staff are currently accounted for).
Conflict continues in Lebanon and the last main bridge linking southern Lebanon with the rest of the country has been damaged, raising serious concerns that people in the south could be cut off from access to humanitarian aid, food, and health care. Lebanon's displacement crisis is immense: over 1.1 million - a third of whom are children - roughly one in five people, have been forced from their homes. The Ministry of Public Health reports that between 2 March and 15 April, over 2,000 people have been killed and more than 4,400 have been injured, including children. On 14 April, Lebanon and Israel held their first diplomatic talks in over three decades, aimed at ending fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
In the UK, SAT-7 continues to call for prayer, de-escalation and peace, and to offer a distinctive voice to both Christian and mainstream media outlets. Watch and listen to a recent prayer for peace from a young SAT-7 viewer in Egypt.

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Summary Updates

Our team

SAT-7 UK is part of an international Christian media network, with studio offices in Beirut, Cairo, Istanbul, Larnaca, and London. While all SAT-7 staff have been accounted for, the crisis is creating operational challenges in parts of the region affected by the turmoil.

SAT-7 Studios

SAT-7 PARS – our Persian channel – is continuing to share programmes despite satellite communication and the internet being disrupted in Iran (see the Our Response section below for the latest news).

Lebanon – a major broadcast hub for SAT-7 ARABIC – is facing attacks and people have been displaced in southern areas. SAT-7’s team in Beirut is continuing production work at the studio, while other staff are working from home.

The situation in Cyprus, the main production centre for SAT-7 PARS and the location of SAT-7’s International Office, is being carefully monitored following attacks on the UK’s Akrotiri air force base.

Our Response

SAT-7 programmes bring much needed comfort, encouragement, and affirmation, straight into the heart of the family home. As the situation develops, our channels are adjusting their content to address the immediate emotional and spiritual needs of viewers.

SAT-7 PARS, our Persian channel, is continuing to share programmes despite satellite communication and the internet being disrupted in Iran. Since 26 February, there has been disruption to the Yahsat satellite service – used by SAT-7 PARS and numerous independent Persian channels to broadcast into Iran. Several viewers in the country confirmed to us at the end of the week that they could not watch SAT-7 PARS via satellite and urged us to connect to an alternative provider. As of Wednesday evening (4 March), SAT-7 PARS is on air again, having secured an alternative service on the TürkmenÄlem satellite (also known as MonacoSat), which provides coverage across the same footprint as Yahsat.

The current conflict in Iran has created an unprecedented situation for us at SAT-7 PARS and it has been our highest priority this week to find an alternative means of connecting with our viewers there,” said Panayiotis Keenan, SAT-7 PARS Executive Director. “They have told us that they need our programs at this exceptionally difficult and distressing time, so we are relieved to have found a solution quickly and are grateful to the Lord that we are back with our viewers!”

In Lebanon, SAT-7 ARABIC is filming a special episode of You Are Not Alone, focusing on the latest developments, including villages displaced from the south and families sheltering in temporary centres. Across its Arabic platforms, SAT-7 has launched a coordinated prayer initiative under the theme “My Heart Will Not Fear”, based around Psalm 27. Live online prayer times are bringing together leaders from different countries to intercede for peace and protection.

These are very critical and distressing times across the entire Middle East region,” says Rami Al-Halaseh, SAT-7 Arabic Channels Executive Director. “Our Arabic channels are making all necessary changes to our program and social media content to ensure that it is relevant to the situation, and especially addressing the fear of the people during these troubled days.”

In the UK, SAT-7 has been raising the issues of Christians in Iran since early January. We've been able to share authentic viewer testimonies with our supporters and on numerous interviews across both Christian and mainstream media, including the BBC. As the situation escalates we seek to mobilise increased prayer and engagement across the UK Church and will continue to seek new opportunities to present a distinctive voice to the public and press.

Our viewers

The response from SAT-7 viewers has been immediate and heartfelt. In place of political argument or analysis, messages have poured in: simple prayers, scripture verses and cries for mercy.

You alone are the One who makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. In Your name, Lord, we ask for peace and wisdom for leaders and rulers. In Your name, we ask that the advance of war would stop,” writes Randa.
We trust what is written,” says Koky, “‘God is our refuge and strength… Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way…’ (Psalm 46:1–2). We trust that our refuge and safety are in God Almighty; God is in her midst, she will not be shaken.”

From Lebanon, Jenne asks for “special protection over Lebanon… Please bless our country.”

Hundreds of similar messages continue to arrive, both from countries directly affected and from neighbouring nations standing in solidarity. As this crisis continues to unfold, SAT-7’s ministry remains unchanged: presence where there is isolation; prayer where there is anxiety; and comfort where uncertainty threatens to take hold.

Our prayers

In a message shared as tensions escalated, SAT-7 CEO Rita El-Mounayer called on the power of prayer. “In moments like this, prayer is not passive,” she said. “It is powerful. It is standing together before God when the world feels unsteady.”

SAT-7’s leaders remain united in their response. Panayiotis Keenan, Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS, adds:

In this time of great uncertainty and escalating conflict, our hearts are with the people of Iran and the whole Middle East region. We pray for safety, for comfort for those who mourn, and for peace in every home. May God be our refuge and strength, and may His perfect peace guard all our hearts and minds. Please keep my Iranian team and their families, and my SAT-7 colleagues throughout the region, in your prayers.”

Please pray:

For protection over civilians in every affected area
For restraint and wisdom among leaders
For comfort for those living in fear
For strength for churches and believers
For de-escalation and lasting peace and justice

Please use SAT-7 articles and prayers points for your personal prayers, home groups and church services.
Give a gift today to support our SAT-7 PARS appeal or here to donate in other ways.
For media interviews or to use SAT-7 content please email respond@sat7uk.org.