Christian Persecution in Iran | Global Christian Relief

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IRAN

What does Christian persecution in Iran look like?

Religious freedom is severely curtailed for everyone other than Farsi-speaking Shi’a. For Armenian and Assyrian Christians, restrictions on ethnic languages are limiting, as is the state-imposed obligation to ensure that only people of the “right” ethnicity participate in worship. Emigration of Christians in Iran is a long-standing challenge, with an estimated 10,000 leaving each year. The pattern of Christian persecution in Iran varies by location, particularly for Christians of Muslim heritage and new believers who have left Islam.

In major cities, the state is the persecutor. Some are arrested, some imprisoned; others are simply excluded from their place of study or work. Some choose to leave the country; a few are obligated to do so due to intense pressure and threats of imprisonment. In rural areas, the persecutor is the family and community. For all, there is a denial of the right to open, public worship with fellow disciples.

Many Iranian Christians report living under constant pressure from both the government and society. While the Iranian constitution recognizes certain historic Christian groups as protected religious minorities, strict limitations remain in place. Churches are heavily monitored, Christian literature is scrutinized, and evangelism among Muslims is prohibited. As a result, many believers meet in private homes or small fellowships rather than traditional church settings.

Although reports of “Iran killing Christians” often are connected to broader patterns of arrests, imprisonment, and abuse rather than large-scale executions, the persecution of Christians remains severe. Believers can face lengthy prison sentences, interrogation, surveillance, and loss of employment. New Christians who have left Islam are particularly vulnerable because authorities frequently view conversion as a challenge to the country’s religious system.

Leadership:
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Government:
Theocratic republic
Population
80M
Christian pop.
< 100k

“This government is not truly Islamic,” “This is the Shah with a different label,” and “What we long for is a truly Islamic state, not the repressive one we have at present.” The state has become more repressive since 2009.

— Protestors in Iran

History of Christianity

Christianity arrived in Iran at Pentecost or shortly afterward. The Assyrian Church of the East emerged following the Council of Nicaea in 431. Its formation used a theological issue as cover for an underlying political motivation of demonstrating to their rulers that they were different from the state church of the Byzantine Empire, which was in competition with the Persian Empire.


Today, the recognized churches are Armenian and Assyrian. They are able to conduct services in ethnic languages but not in Farsi, the national lingua franca. Historically, there have been churches within the Protestant family worshipping in Farsi and other languages. They were established for expatriates, but most became authentically Iranian over time.


However, these congregations have been closed for a decade. The numerous disciples of Jesus of Muslim heritage use a house-fellowship model of church, although many choose to worship alone. Satellite TV, online, and other media forms of church are widely appreciated.


Despite restrictions, there are reports that the Christian faith continues to spread quietly through personal relationships, digital outreach, and house churches. Many Muslim-background believers describe discovering Christianity through Scripture, online content, or encounters with other believers. This growth has increased concern among Iranian authorities, who frequently view independent Christian activity as a threat to national and religious identity.

History of Christianity

What does Christian persecution in Iran look like?

Religious freedom is severely curtailed for everyone other than Farsi-speaking Shi’a. For Armenian and Assyrian Christians, restrictions on ethnic languages are limiting, as is the state-imposed obligation to ensure that only people of the “right” ethnicity participate in worship. Emigration of Christians in Iran is a long-standing challenge, with an estimated 10,000 leaving each year. The pattern of Christian persecution in Iran varies by location, particularly for Christians of Muslim heritage and new believers who have left Islam.

In major cities, the state is the persecutor. Some are arrested, some imprisoned; others are simply excluded from their place of study or work. Some choose to leave the country; a few are obligated to do so due to intense pressure and threats of imprisonment. In rural areas, the persecutor is the family and community. For all, there is a denial of the right to open, public worship with fellow disciples.

Many Iranian Christians report living under constant pressure from both the government and society. While the Iranian constitution recognizes certain historic Christian groups as protected religious minorities, strict limitations remain in place. Churches are heavily monitored, Christian literature is scrutinized, and evangelism among Muslims is prohibited. As a result, many believers meet in private homes or small fellowships rather than traditional church settings.

Although reports of “Iran killing Christians” often are connected to broader patterns of arrests, imprisonment, and abuse rather than large-scale executions, the persecution of Christians remains severe. Believers can face lengthy prison sentences, interrogation, surveillance, and loss of employment. New Christians who have left Islam are particularly vulnerable because authorities frequently view conversion as a challenge to the country’s religious system.