They need to move out of the country.
A recent report has shed light on the increasing persecution of Christians in Iran, particularly highlighting the re-arrest and torture of three Christian converts. These individuals were pressured to renounce their faith in Jesus, amidst a growing crackdown by Iranian authorities. According to the London-based organization Article 18, which tracks religious freedom violations, the prison sentences for Christians in Iran surged dramatically in 2024. The report, “The Tip of the Iceberg,” found that Christians were collectively sentenced to 250 years in prison in 2024, a notable rise compared to the previous year.
In 2024, at least 139 Christians were arrested, with many facing charges related to their religious activities. Among those targeted were Jahangir Alikhani, Hamed Malamiri, and Gholam Eshaghi, who were initially arrested by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence in late 2023. After being rearrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), they were detained without access to legal representation and faced serious charges, including promoting a religion other than Islam and collaborating with foreign entities. During their time in detention, the men endured both physical and psychological torture and were pressured to denounce their faith.
Before their eventual release on bail, the three men were subjected to lengthy interrogations. Agents also raided the home of another Christian, Javad Amini, confiscating Christian literature and other personal items. Amini’s wife was also subjected to intense psychological pressure while her husband was in custody. The confiscation of Christian materials and targeting of individuals’ finances is part of a broader strategy by the Iranian government to suppress Christian growth, the report notes.
The Iranian government, particularly through the IRGC, has intensified its efforts to weaken the Christian community by financially isolating and undermining them. Intelligence agents have sought to link Christian activities to foreign funding, using amended laws to prosecute individuals under provisions that call for severe penalties. The report highlights how financial contributions and support for church activities, which are standard practices for Christians worldwide, have been criminalized in Iran as part of a broader effort to curb the influence of Christianity within the country.