[Today’s Prayer] Iran Arrests and Executes Christians and Dissidents in Large Numbers after War

The Iranian government is said to have launched a large-scale crackdown on dissidents following a 12-day armed conflict with Israel and the United States last month.

Hundreds of people have been arrested so far, and at least 10 have been executed after mere formal trials, amid international concerns that the Iranian government has stepped up its repressive rule in an effort to consolidate internal unity following the military blow.

“This is a more dangerous time for the Iranian people than before the war,” Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi told the Wall Street Journal, warning that “oppression will only get worse.”

On June 29, Iran’s parliament passed a law that would make contact with “enemy countries,” including Israel, punishable by death. The law is seen as a direct target for Christians and pro-democracy activists in Iran who rely on outside contacts.

International human rights and religious freedom groups fear that the law will be used as a pretext for persecution of Christians, especially in Iran, where the majority of Christians are converts from Islam, and conversion itself is punishable by death. In fact, some Christians have been executed for their faith, and many have suffered torture, long-term imprisonment, and serious threats.

According to the religious freedom watchdog Article 18, sentences for Christians in Iran increased more than sixfold in 2024 compared to the previous year. A total of 96 Christians were sentenced to a total of 263 years in prison, with some receiving sentences of more than 10 years.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said that the number of executions in Iran in 2024 will exceed 900, many of which are based on religious grounds. It also said that in addition to Christians, other religious minorities, women, and youth are being oppressed.

According to this, the Iranian government has significantly strengthened not only religious repression but also street crackdowns. In particular, violent crackdowns on women and girls who violate the hijab rule are increasing. The moral police arrest and beat women, and also sanction stores that accept women who do not wear hijab.

The U.S. State Department has designated Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom every year since 1999. This means that systematic and ongoing religious persecution is taking place at the state level.

The International Christian Coalition (ICC) reported that “while the growth of Christians in Iran continues, the persecution is becoming more brutal.” Since 1995, the ICC has been providing emergency assistance and long-term recovery projects for persecuted Christians around the world.

ICC helps Christians escape secretly from Iran through its trusted underground church network, and provides food, medicine, shelter, and small amounts of money to widows and orphans to help them survive.

Source: Christian Today

Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord (Psalm 144:15)

Lord, we hear that the Iranian government is engaged in a massive crackdown targeting dissidents following last month's 12-day armed conflict with Israel and the United States.

We ask that You watch over those who are suffering as Christians and female youth, targeted for repression.

As Iranian women longing for freedom continue their hijab protests in the face of increasingly violent crackdowns on violations of the hijab, we ask that you would allow them true freedom through hearing the gospel, encountering Jesus, and rising up as leaders who now proclaim your kingdom.

In the face of all the persecution and martyrdom, even as the Iranian government attempts to destroy the church, give the Iranian church more strength and faith to win many souls to you.

Use the global church and the International Christian Alliance to support Iranian Christians in prayer and commitment, and use them as channels through which the gospel is sown.

Through Jesus Christ, we ask that all lies that have deceived Iran will be blotted out and that you alone will be enthroned in Iran! We ask that you will see the return of all nations through Iran!

Rise up, Iran, to complete the FM 1% of Persia!