*Because the World Watch List research period was from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025, the persecution score may not reflect the reality of life in Iran following recent developments in the country.
How are Christians persecuted in Iran?
- Most people in Iran are Muslims, and it is illegal for a Muslim to leave Islam. Those who decide to leave Islam to follow Jesus can face severe persecution.
- Christians from Muslim backgrounds must meet together secretly, in house churches.
- However, house churches are commonly raided, often followed by arrests, interrogations, pressure to inform on other believers and long-term imprisonments, typically under charges of breaching ‘national security’.
- The conditions in prison are dire and bail sums can be extortionately high, financially paralysing families.
- If believers are released, it typically comes with strict conditions, like exile in another part of Iran or self-censorship.
- Each year, thousands of converts flee Iran to escape persecution.
- Despite the intense persecution, many believers are bravely standing strong. Shima*, a believer who was arrested, shares, “A blank paper was brought in front of me, and a deep voice said, ‘If you write here that you regret becoming a Christian, that you want to return to Islam, then we can help you avoid court.’ I kept silent for a moment, then said calmly: ‘That’s not a confession, that’s a forced lie. I won’t write down something I don’t believe.’”
Why are Christians persecuted in Iran?
- Christians in Iran are heavily and systemically repressed as the authorities seek to root out what it sees as a threat by the West to undermine their Islamic rule.
- The situation could yet worsen, with parliament rushing through a new espionage by-law, currently under review, that will introduce the death penalty under broad definitions. It would give the authorities sweeping powers to punish perceived dissent. If passed, since arrested Christians have recently been accused of espionage, it could potentially have huge ramifications for believers.
- Despite being recognised by the state, even the historical Armenian and Assyrian Christian communities are treated as second-class citizens, facing discrimination with jobs, marriage laws and inheritance laws.
Who is particularly vulnerable in Iran?
- Converts face the biggest dangers.
- Whilst government surveillance is strongest in urban places, believers there benefit from greater anonymity, enabling them to gather with less scrutiny from their communities.
- Although believers living in rural areas experience less direct monitoring by the authorities, the scrutiny from their communities is stronger.
What has changed in Iran in the past year?
- Despite dropping a place in the World Watch List, the persecution of Christians in Iran has worsened slightly.
- The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified the oppression of converts, since they are often seen as sympathising with ‘the West’.
- In the immediate aftermath of the ceasefire, at least 54 Christians were arrested in 21 cities – a significant jump compared to the 40 believers arrested in the previous six months. State media even went as far as to say that the 54 arrested Christians had committed espionage.
- The television report suggested links between evangelical Christians and foreign intelligence services, a narrative that paints an entire faith community as a security threat, gravely adding to their vulnerability.
How can I help Christians in Iran?
“Your prayers are the reason I can still lift my head.”
Somayeh
- Please keep praying for your brothers and sisters in Iran. Your prayers make an enormous difference to those following Jesus no matter the cost. “Your prayers are the reason I can still lift my head. Sometimes I feel so weak, but then I remember that people all over the world are praying for me, and this gives me strength to keep trusting the Lord,” shares Somayeh*.
Open Doors’ partners work in neighbouring countries to help Iranian believers with training, discipleship, trauma care and online ministry. Open Doors also raises prayer support for Christians in Iran.
*Name changed for security reasons
Heavenly Father, as we remember our family in prison (Hebrews 13:3), engulf their cells with Your presence. May they tangibly feel Your nearness – and open the eyes of guards and other prisoners to see it, too. Expose the arbitrary and unjust reasons for this oppression, compelling the authorities to release Christian prisoners and allow converts greater freedoms. Protect and grow house churches, sustain Your people, and heal those recovering from awful experiences. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
