There is a fascinating account in Daniel chapter 10 which occurred during the third year of Cyrus, the Persian king, around 536 B.C. An angel appears to Daniel after he has been fasting and praying for three weeks and informs him that of the reason why he was detained,

The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia (Dan 10:13)

Daniel was in Persia at this time and a powerful demonic being (one of the “chief princes” of Persia) attempted to prevent the angel from answering Daniel’s prayer. The angel also refers to the “kings” of Persia, an apparent reference to multiple powerful demonic entities over Persia. The history of Iran is intertwined with Greater Iran, which is a region encompassing all of the areas that have witnessed significant settlement or influence by the Iranian peoples and the Iranian languages – chiefly the Persians and the Persian language.

The ESV Study Bible provides this study note regarding Dan 10:13,

“The angelic messenger was delayed on his journey twenty-one days by the prince of the kingdom of Persia, an evil angel associated with the Persian Empire and who resists God’s purposes. This information showed that the Jews were not simply facing human opposition and enmity at the earthly court of the Persian king but powerful spiritual beings operating in the heavenly realms. Although this spiritual opponent was powerful enough to delay God’s messenger for a period of three weeks, all he could do was delay him. When Michael, one of the chief princes (angels), came to help him, the angel was finally able to complete his journey and bring the message of encouragement to Daniel. Michael appears to have a special responsibility to care for the nation of Israel.“

Scripture reveals there are multiple, powerful demonic spiritual beings that influence and “rule” over the region of Persia. Yesterday I posted a blog here about Iran (ancient Persia). Iran’s behavior with the Islamic Regime qualifies it as a “death cult.” The OT Book of Esther is set in the Achaemenid Empire, which included Persia, and tells the story of a Jewish woman named Esther who becomes queen of Persia. Haman was the principal minister of the Persian Empire under King Ahasuerus, commonly identified as Xerxes I. His high-ranking position allowed him to influence the king and plot against the Jewish people. In fact, Haman was determined to annihilate the Jews – a stated goal of the current Iranian Islamic regime.

There is ongoing potent spiritual combat in the Heavenlies regarding modern day Iran (ancient Persia). For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12). Until we recognize that and take the battle into spiritual realms, we are tilting at windmills.