Remembering Those in Bonds


Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide


Davoud Alijani, an Iranian believer imprisoned along with four other Christians in December of 2011, was released on January 13th after spending more than 250 days in jail. Davoud had been charged with converting from Islam to Christianity. (For more information about his arrest, please visit this page.)

Pastor Farhad Sabokrouh and Naser Zamen-Dezfuli, who were imprisoned along with Davoud, were earlier released from custody in December 2013. At last report, the fourth Christian, Pastor Farhad's wife Shahnaz Jayzan, remained imprisoned. However, unconfirmed reports indicate that she will be released in the next several days.

Meanwhile, January 16th marked the third anniversary of the trial of Behnam Irani, 43, a house church leader imprisoned for "offences against national security." Contacts report that Pastor Behnam is being held in appalling conditions at Ghezal Hesar prison and that he is seriously ill. His medical conditions, for which he has received inadequate treatment, include a bleeding ulcer and a herniated disc. He has also been beaten and tortured by prison officials. His family is concerned that he may die in prison. (To learn more about his imprisonment, click here.)

In a letter Behnam wrote in prison, he shared: "In jail I have attained new experiences about love. Here, I live with cellmates of whom it is hard to see anything positive in their lives and personalities. They don't think about anything but negative values, abhorrent acts, learning new experiences in crimes and nasty literature. I look at them and whisper to myself, 'Do they really deserve prayers and intercessions?' Immediately, I remember that Jesus Christ was sacrificed for their sins too. 'He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world’ (1 John 2:2)."

While imprisoned, Pastor Behnam's family is facing scrutiny by authorities. On December 15th, 2013, security forces raided the home of his wife Kristina, as well as the homes of three other Christians. Authorities confiscated Bibles and other Christian materials, as well as Kristina's laptop.

Thank the Lord for answered prayer in the release of Davoud, Farhad and Naser. May Shahnaz's release soon follow! Ask the Lord to help them recover from the emotional and physical ordeals they have suffered. Pray that He will make His presence known to Pastor Behnam during this time of great need, giving His faithful servant strength, healing and grace for each new day. Please also remember Pastor Behnam's dear wife Kristina in prayer, along with their two young children, Rebecca and Adriel. May God comfort them through the outpouring of love they receive from fellow Christians, as well as through the promises of His Holy Word (Psalm 119:49-56). Let us also bring the officials and authorities involved with Behnam's case to the Lord, asking Him to work mightily in their hearts so they may extend His justice and compassion.

  • 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

  • Retrial Denied for Imprisoned Believer
    Mehran
    Mehran Shamloui
    Photo: Article 18

    Iran's Supreme Court has recently rejected the application for a retrial that was submitted on behalf of Mehran Shamloui, a Christian believer who is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence for his participation in house church activities. Recipients of previously published Persecution & Prayer Alert reports may recall that Mehran had fled to Türkiye in search of refuge. While there, the accused Iranian was apprehended and forced to return to Iran, where he had subsequently been arrested. (The initially posted report regarding Mehran's arrest may be reviewed here.)

  • Over 50 Arrested Christians Accused of Espionage
    A map of Iran has several labels, all showing where Christians were arrested since June 24, 2025.
    A map of Iran, marking the arrests
    of Christians since June 24, 2025. 
    (Click on the image for a larger view.)
    Photo: Article18

    Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) recently reported that over 50 Christians have been arrested since the end of the recent conflict between Iran and Israel in June 2025. The country's intelligence agency labelled the detained believers as "Mossad mercenaries," claiming that they had been trained by churches abroad and were now operating "under the guise of the Zionist Christian evangelization movement."

  • Convicted Christian Deported and Arrested
    Mehran
    Mehran Shamloui
    Photo: Article 18

    On March 8th, Mehran Shamloui was one of three Christians convicted in Iran for "propaganda" and membership in an alleged "opposition group." He was sentenced to more than ten years in prison. (For more details, see this report.)

  • 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.