More Christians Imprisoned for their Faith


Evin prison in Iran
Photo: Flickr / sabzphoto

Iranian Christians are requesting prayer for their country following a series of arrests that took place about the time the government released some prisoners in an effort to appear more liberal. At least 20 Christians, mainly from Muslim backgrounds, were detained in Tehran, Karaj, Isfahan and Tabriz. As a sign of being politically progressive, the government of newly appointed President Hassan Rouhani pardoned and then released 11 prisoners of conscience on September 20th.

The next day, the family of imprisoned Pastor Behnam Irani went to meet with a judge in Karaj, Iran, asking for pardon to be granted and thus his release from prison, as was done for the other prisoners of conscience. Unfortunately, the judge denied this request, stating that Pastor Behnam had to complete his six-year term. The family members were then told that the only way the imprisoned pastor would be pardoned and released prior to this term was if he repented and returned to Islam. To learn more about his situation, please review this story.

Thank the Lord for the recent release of the 11 prisoners. May He protect and sustain those who remain in jail, especially Pastor Behnam who is suffering from poor health. Praise God for the growth of the church in Iran despite the many challenges. Ask that He will use these incidents of persecution to further spread the Gospel and strengthen the faith of His children. Also, in accordance to Scripture, pray for the Lord to work through President Hassan Rouhani and all those in authority so there will be peace in the land.

  • 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.

Iran News

  • Armenian Christian Faces Ten-Year Sentence
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Hakop Gochumyan
    Photo: Article18

    Hakop Gochumyan and his wife Elisa are citizens of Armenia who went to Iran for vacation in August 2023. While the Christian couple and their two children were having dinner at a friend's house, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the property. The authorities took the Christian family to the home of Elisa's grandmother, where the believers had been staying, and proceeded to search the residence. During the raid, Christian books and other personal belongings were confiscated. The couple was then taken to Evin Prison where they faced interrogation and intense psychological torture.

  • Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Prison
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Esmaeil Narimanpour
    Photo: Article18

    On Christmas Eve of 2023, Esmaeil Narimanpour was apprehended by security forces. The Iranian follower of Jesus was charged with "acting against national security by communicating with Christian 'Zionist' organizations." As of April 30th, he was released on bail after spending more than four months in detention. For more details relating to his case, see these previously posted reports.