Detained Christian Convert Released on Bail

Esmaeil Narimanpour
Esmaeil Narimanpour
Photo: Article 18

Christian convert Esmaeil Narimanpour was detained at his home on Christmas Eve in 2023. When his family members attempted to inquire about his situation, they were subjected to interrogation by security forces for several hours. For more details on this incident, go to this page.

It has since been reported that Esmaeil was charged with "acting against national security by communicating with Christian 'Zionist' organizations." After more than four months in detention, during which time the believer had been primarily held in Ahvaz's Shiban Prison, Esmaeil was released on bail as of April 30th. No further details about the Christian man's case are available at the time of publishing this report.

Praise God that Esmaeil has been granted bail. Pray that all legal matters will be fully resolved and that the Lord will shield him from any further persecution by the Iranian authorities. In addition, please intercede for the citizens of Iran as they face upheaval following the recent accidental death of President Ebrahim Raisi. While this situation alone may not bring about needed change for our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ, may those in power – including Ayatollah Khamenei – receive a divine revelation of the Lord's sacrificial love for humanity and thereby acknowledge the need for His compassion and righteousness to be extended to all people.

  • 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.