US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was "certainly" possible that President Donald Trump might be the modern-day savior of the Jewish people.

Speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network in Jerusalem on Thursday, Pompeo said Trump might be poised to defend against forces wanting to "eradicate the Jewish people" in the Middle East.

The interview with CBN fell on Purim, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jewish people during the time of the ancient Persian Empire and is marked by costumes and celebrations.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said it was "certainly" possible that President Donald Trump might be the modern-day savior of the Jewish people.

Speaking with the Christian Broadcasting Network in Jerusalem on Thursday, Pompeo said Trump might be poised to defend against forces wanting to "eradicate the Jewish people" in the Middle East.

The interview with CBN fell on Purim, a Jewish holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jewish people during the time of the ancient Persian Empire and is marked by costumes and celebrations.

Jewish children taking part in the annual holiday of Purim on the streets of Stamford Hill in London on Thursday. WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Mentioning Queen Esther, who according to Jewish scripture convinced the king of Persia not to massacre the Jewish people, CBN's Middle East bureau chief, Chris Mitchell, asked Pompeo whether there were similarities between her and Trump.

"Could it be that President Trump right now has been raised for such a time, just like Queen Esther, to help save the Jewish people from an Iranian menace?"

"As a Christian I certainly believe that's possible," Pompeo responded. "I am confident that the lord is at work here."

Trump's policies as president have been notably tough on Iran and favorable to the Jewish state of Israel.

Last year, Trump withdrew from the Iranian nuclear agreement, a move that garnered international backlash. Trump also reimposed numerous sanctions on Iran that have hit the country's economy hard.

Trump has also officially moved the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a symbolic move that critics say emboldens Israeli claims to Jerusalem while minimizing Palestinian claims.

Trump on Thursday also said it was time for the US to recognize the Golan Heights, one of the globe's most disputed territories, as part of Israel.