Iran: A letter from prison

In the closed land of Iran, one might be surprised to hear that there are many people with open hearts. Thousands of Iranians are coming to Christ by hearing the gospel through satellite programs, secret evangelism and even dreams. Among those converting to Christianity are even officials within the government itself. However, the growth of the Church is coming at a cost. Iran's underground Church faces persecution, prison charges and, in some cases, even death.

The family of Haik Hovsepian, an Iranian Christian martyred in 1994, has produced an inspiring music video that shares the struggles and conflicts facing many Iranian believers today. To watch "A Letter from Prison," visit www.Persecution.TV/Letter.

Please consider showing this video during your next church service and sharing it with friends and family, inviting them to join you in praying for the Church in Iran!

You can learn more about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Iran at the Iran Country Report.

  • Current Ministry Fund

    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

  • Country Information

    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

  • Pray for Iran

    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.

Select a Region

Iran News

  • Laleh Saati Receives Conditional Release
    A smiling Laleh is outside, and the sun is shining on her face. A tree is in the background.
    Laleh Saati
    Photo: Article18

    Laleh Saati is a Christian convert and former asylum-seeker who was incarcerated in February 2024 and sentenced to two years in prison. (For more information on the imprisonment of this 46-year-old Iranian follower of Jesus, visit this page.) Throughout Laleh's time in custody, concerns have been raised about her physical health and psychological well-being. Most recently, it was reported that the Christian woman was denied needed medical treatment for a hand injury that had occurred as a result of a fall.

    Read more...

  • Letter From Imprisoned Christian Reveals Abusive Treatment
    Hakop Gochumyan is sitting on a couch.
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Photo: Article18

    Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who were visiting Iran in August 2023. While this Christian couple were having dinner with friends, government agents raided the gathering, resulting in their arrest. Eventually, Elisa was released on bail and permitted to return to Armenia with their children. However, Hakop was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly "engaging in deviant proselytizing activity." For more details, see our previously posted report.

    Read more...

  • Detained Pastor's Wife in Solitary Confinement
    Lida Alexani is smiling.
    Lida Alexani
    Photo: Article18

    In 2022, Pastor Joseph Shahbazian was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for his Christian ministry work in Iran. After an appeal, he was released a year later. For unknown reasons, however, he was suddenly rearrested on February 6th of this year, and now reportedly faces numerous charges. For more details, see this report.

    Read more...

  • Appeal Denied for Three Christian Converts
    Abbas, Narges, and Mehran
    Left to right: Abbas Soori,
    Narges Nasri, and Mehran Shamloui.
    Photos: Article 18

    On March 8th, three Christian converts in Iran, including a woman pregnant with her first child, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for participating in activities relating to their religious beliefs. (More details about the charges against these believers are available at VOMC's previously published report.)

    Read more...

View All

Iran Videos

 
Iran: Lengthy Prison Sentences for Christians
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
 
Special Video Edition - 2024 in Review - Iran
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
 
Iran: Hopelessness Opens The Door To The Gospel
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
 
Iran: Bringing God's Light into a Dark and Oppressive Country
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
 
Iran: Government Sponsors Terrorism and Persecution of Christians
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
 
Iran: Forced to Flee Extreme Persecution
/component/allvideoshare/category/iran.htm
More