05/12/2026
While we witness the physical destruction of Christian communities in Nigeria and the Holy Land, a silent, systematic “eradication of conscience” is unfolding in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Since the regional military escalations in early 2026, the Iranian regime has dramatically intensified its crackdown on anyone who dares to think—or pray—differently than the state dictates.
A Surge in Severity: The statistics from the past year reveal a disturbing trend toward “slow strangulation” for the Iranian Church. While the number of Christians sentenced in 2025 was slightly lower than the year before, the severity of their sentences has skyrocketed. In 2025 alone, 73 Christians were sentenced to a staggering cumulative total of 280 years in prison.
The regime no longer merely arrests believers; it seeks to break them. We have received confirmed reports of mistreatment within the prison system, including the systematic denial of healthcare to Christian prisoners and the use of psychological torture. to force them to renounce their faith. Even after release, the Christians of Iran face lifelong monitoring, loss of employment, and are often forbidden from visiting the graves of their own family members.
The “Zionist” Scapegoat: Following the military conflicts of June 2025, the regime began openly accusing Christian converts of being “Zionist agents” and a threat to national security. This propaganda has been used to justify a new wave of raids on house churches. For many converts, simple acts of worship—praying, performing baptisms, or even celebrating Christmas—are now being used in court as evidence of “enmity against God,” a crime that carries a potential death sentence.
Hope in the Shadows: Despite this atmosphere of terror, the Iranian Church is not dying; it is growing in secret. Disillusioned by decades of religious oppression, thousands are turning to the Gospel.
This leads to a critical question: Can President Trump make a deal with the “new” leadership? Will a deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz for oil transport end the repression of Christians and liberty-loving Iranians?
I believe the answer is no! The United States and Israel may have executed the top officials with bombs and cruise missiles, but they were quickly replaced by the Islamic extremists waiting in the wings. Unless the mullahs are completely removed from power, the repression of non-Muslims and liberty-loving Iranians will continue.
At Religious Freedom Coalition, we must stand as a voice for those who are terrified that if this regime stays in power, they’ll kill everyone who thinks differently. Our mission is to ensure that while they are persecuted, they are never forgotten.
Please pray for the persecuted Christians in Iran and around the world.
