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Pray for the release of these Christians. Pray that they will come into a deeper relationship with Christ as they embrace the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:7-10). Ask God to strengthen and encourage their families during this difficult time.
Learn more about how Christians are persecuted in Iran by visiting the Iran Country Report. The feature article in the February edition of VOMC's monthly newsletter focuses on the persecution of Christians in Iran. Click here to subscribe.
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
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
Mojtaba Khamenei (2026)
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.
A historic Christian compound in Tehran, which was established in 1876 and home to Iran's oldest Protestant church, is facing possible confiscation by the country's government. The recent threat marks the culmination of a long-standing legal battle that started over 25 years ago.
In December 2025, it was announced that five Iranian Christians had received lengthy prison sentences. Although the charges against them officially involved "collusion" and "propaganda," they were imprisoned merely for engaging in typical Christian activities, such as gathering for worship, prayer, and the observance of communion and baptismal ceremonies. (Further details on the believers' convictions are available at this report. For security reasons, one of the accused believers' names was withheld from that initial report.)
Mary Mohammadi was initially arrested at the age of 19 after converting from Islam to Christianity at a house church meeting. The young Christian woman was subsequently imprisoned for six months in Tehran's Evin Prison. Following her release, she was convicted again in 2020; this second time, receiving a suspended sentence – along with 10 lashes – on charges of "disturbing public order." Despite the ongoing persecution from Iranian authorities, Mary has remained steadfast in her faith. In 2023, she was honoured with the St. Stephen's Award for Persecuted Christians in recognition of her courage and selflessness.
In January 2025, Ghazal Marzban was arrested and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 74 lashes on charges of "propaganda against the regime" and for appearing in public without a hijab. Thankfully, the Christian woman was released after serving two months of her previously ordered sentence.
