Name: Iran
Source of Persecution: Islamic Oppression, Dictatorial Paranoia, Organized Corruption and Crime, Clan Oppression
Rank: #10 on the World Watch List
Christians in Iran are heavily and systemically repressed, as the authorities seek to root out what they see as a threat from the West to undermine their Islamic rule.
Converts are in the firing line the most. House churches are commonly raided, often followed by arrests, interrogations, pressure to inform on other believers and long-term imprisonment. This is typically under charges of breaching “national security.” The conditions in prison are dire, and bail sums can be extortionately high, financially paralyzing families. For believers, release typically comes with strict conditions, such as exile to another part of Iran, or self-censorship. They can also face hostility from families and local communities. Each year, thousands of converts flee Iran to escape persecution.
Parliament also rushed through a new espionage bill that introduces the death penalty under broad definitions, granting the government sweeping powers to punish perceived dissent. Following the Iran-Israel war, the government now publicly brands converts as spies and collaborators.
Despite being recognized by the state, the historical Armenian and Assyrian Christian communities are treated as second-class citizens, facing discrimination in employment, marriage laws and inheritance laws. They are also banned from using the Persian language for religious activities and religious materials, and are not allowed to engage with Persian-speaking people in church services. Foreign Christians encounter scrutiny, with some churches having closed after converts attended.
Converts face the biggest dangers. While government surveillance is greatest in urban areas, believers in cities benefit from greater anonymity, enabling them to gather with less scrutiny from their communities. Conversely, while believers in rural areas experience less direct monitoring from the authorities, the scrutiny they face from locals is stronger.
Prayer Points
- In the aftermath of the conflict with Israel, many Iranian Christians report even harsher treatment at the hands of the authorities. Pray that God will ease these tensions.
- Secret churches are growing, but they are always at risk. Pray for believers who put everything on the line to gather and worship.
- The number of church leaders imprisoned in Iran skyrocketed this year. Pray for their release and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.