Goliath vs. Iran

Disclaimer: I'm staunch atheist (naturalist), but every once in a while I'll dip a toe into mythology. And sometimes this includes the Christian Cinematic Universe. Or as the case may be, the larger Abrahamic Cinematic Universe

David and Goliath is already a part of biblical mythology. In the myth, David of the Israelites (in the story, a clever young lad skilled with a sling) defeats Goliath of the Philistines (a giant warrior). Implied in the story is the protocol that gods can duel each other by proxy, by having their champions fight on the field and seeing who wins.

Cut to modern day. The US attacks Iran.

But the US isn't acting as a secular nation as it has in prior theaters of war. The Trump administration is actively trying to turn the US into a theocratic state under the patronage of white Christian nationalism, a movement that intersects with a number of different Christian institutions.

Before the initial strikes on Iran, Hegseth made it very clear to the US armed forces and the US public that the United States is engaging in a holy war against Iran. Preaching and rituals happened. Blessings were administered. Troopers had to sit through uncomfortable hours of preaching.

And note that Iran is, itself, a far-right-wing theocratic government under Shia Islam.

And Iran has been holding its own under siege by the US' superior force. Early on they were able to close the Hormuz Strait to commercial shipping, decimating the global economy.

Months into the war, the US is depleted of munitions and Iran stands firm. The Hormuz strait is still closed to commerce. Moreover, hostilities are expanding as the Houthi–Saudi Arabian conflict reignites. The Bab-el-Mandeb strait is now in play. And all that Trump and Hegseth can think to do is attack Iran some more, specifically, to attack civilian infrastructure (That's a war crime and, according to Sun Tzu, an act of desperation.)

The US is getting shellacked. Brought down like Goliath.

Can this be interpreted to mean that American Christianity is a false or lesser religious power than Persian Islam? More importantly, can the risk of this narrative playing out be used to sway US leadership to act sensibly (e.g. end the war or replace the command)?