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Although they have been exonerated of the charges, they fear they will be re-arrested once they resume their Christian activity or that believers who associate with them will also face pressure. Some believe that they were released to appease international pressure and that they might be punished outside of the law.
By funding television broadcasts, VOMC is making it possible for a vast audience of viewers to be reached throughout Iran with the "Good News" of Jesus' love via satellite.
Project Fund: Underground Church
Designation
Persecuted
Population
87,590,873 (2023 est.)
Ethnicity
Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes
Religion (%)
Islam (98.5), Christian (0.7), Baha'i (0.3), agnostic (0.3), other (0.2)
Leader
Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei (1989)
Government type
Theocratic republic
Legal system
Religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law
Source: CIA World Factbook
As the Gospel message goes forth over the airwaves, may the growth of the church continue to multiply despite persecution. Pray that the Iranian government will be open to change, allowing full rights and protection for its non-Muslim citizens as well. In the meantime, may those who are forced to flee the country find safe refuge and help so they can live in peace and worship the Lord with freedom.
On November 26th, 12 Christian converts faced trial in Nowshahr, a northern Iranian city located along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The believers were charged with "propagation of the religions that [conflict with] Islam" and "collaborating with foreign governments." In the indictment, the prosecutor stated that the 12 individuals had identified themselves as Christians. The indictment further explained that because the accused followers of Jesus had formed groups to teach Christianity, they were guilty of religious propagation.
A Christian convert identified as Toomaj Aryan-Kia has been sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly committing the following offenses: 1) "propaganda"; 2) collaborating with the "hostile governments" of Israel, the United Kingdom and United States; and 3) holding a membership with "anti-regime groups." Along with administering the recently applied prison sentence, Judge Mostafa Narimani banned the Christian man from having any affiliations with a group for an additional two years following his release. Although Toomaj has appealed the sentence, his request for a retrial was denied.
With thankfulness to God for His faithfulness, we are pleased to announce that the following two believers, both of whom were imprisoned for their faith in Iran, have been released during recent days:
After living abroad for a period of time, Laleh Saati returned to her home country of Iran in 2017 to care for her elderly parents. However, in February 2024, Laleh was arrested because she had converted to Christianity while living in Malaysia. This Iranian follower of Jesus was sentenced to two years in prison for "acting against national security by connecting with 'Zionist' Christian organizations." For more details on her case, see this report.
