Iran: A Nation at a Crossroads 

Though given little prominence on mainstream media until literally the past day or two, widespread protests have been taking place in Iran over the past fortnight. Protests have taken place across 111 cities, comprising every one of Iran’s 31 provinces. Smaller towns are also affected. The death toll has reached at least 45, with more than 2,200 arrests. While the protests are clearly partly political in nature, Iran is also experiencing an economic crisis, with an annual inflation rate of over 40%, and a recent significant drought intensifying pressures. The situation became more acute after the US and Israeli strikes on nuclear facilities in June last year.

The theocratic regime of Iran has long been known for its persecution of Christians, last year placed at number 9 in the Open Doors World Watch list which ranks countries on persecution and religious freedom.
In recent years it has also become known for genuine, dramatic Christian revival, where, despite – or even partly because of – the intense persecution, the gospel has spread undercover, with many small house churches springing up. The full story of this is yet to be told, owing to obvious sensibilities, and as personal identities need to be protected.

Christians particularly targeted

Whereas many Christians are likely to be involved in the protests, there is no evidence that the uprising is led in any way by them. Indeed, the protests began (on December 28) with Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, the influential merchants whose predecessors were the initial fomenters of the 1979 revolution, which brought the Ayatollahs to power.

Regarded as apostates from Islam, Farsi (Persian)-speaking Christians in Iran are considered enemies of the state and are often charged with national security offences. 

However, Barnabas Aid claims that the Iranian government is increasingly using the Christian minority as a scapegoat, accusing believers of inciting and leading the demonstrations. Regarded as apostates from Islam, Farsi (Persian)-speaking Christians in Iran are considered enemies of the state and are often charged with national security offences. So far, at least ten Christians have been arrested in Iran’s south-western province of Fars, supposedly for leading anti-government protests.

Christians are seeing door-to-door searches of their homes. One Iranian believer noted “a coordinated effort to link the church to the economic riots. One of our brothers was arrested simply because he was seen talking to a group of shopkeepers. The government is desperate to find a leader for this leaderless movement, and they find the Christians to be an easy target because of our international connections.”

The pastor of an unofficial church noted, “The atmosphere is one of intense fear. They have raided several homes of believers, claiming we are the ones providing the ‘ideological fuel’ for the street marches. Our people are staying indoors, but the door-to-door searches are relentless.”

Widespread protests – minimal media exposure

Despite claims that the fall of the regime is within reach, the mainstream media has until very recently given little coverage of the protests. The Jerusalem Post noted that since the protests started, the BBC has published only a few articles on the issue.

Despite claims that the fall of the regime is within reach, the mainstream media has until very recently given little coverage of the protests.

This is beginning to change, not least because there are now reports of an internet blockage in the repressive state, since Thursday night. There are fears that the lack of service could provide the authorities with cover to use lethal force to put down demonstrations. The fears are not unfounded. This tool was used by the government in 2019, when 1,500 people were killed.

Where, of course, are the huge crowds of ‘human rights’ activists in Western nations in support of the brave protesters? Nowhere to be seen or heard, of course! There are reports of the Islamic Republic attacking hospitals to arrest protesters in their beds, yet, as UK-based Mani Basharzad has pointed out, these so-called human-rights advocates “only seem to worry about hospitals when Hamas stores ammunition in them. Normal Iranian citizens? They can’t be bothered.” Some left-wing progressives have even been supporting the repressive Iranian regime – seemingly because it is an enemy of the world’s bogeyman – Israel.

Pray for Iran

There is an urgent need to pray for Iran. Some are predicting that the regime could now collapse. Chants of “Death to the dictator” are being heard across the country. The exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has said that he is ready to lead the transition to democracy – and called people to protest (possibly the spark that led the mullahs to shut down the internet).

We do not know what will happen, but we know a God who does. Pray for the protection of the Iranian people. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come in Iran. Pray for the protection of our long-suffering fellow Christian brothers and sisters in this beautiful country – and for religious freedom to return. May God’s will be done.