As widespread anti-government protests continue throughout the country, Iranian Christian leaders have called for prayer. The protests, which began on 28 December after shopkeepers went on strike at two markets in Tehran in response to economic pressures on prices, quickly spread to 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces and the focus of the protests changed to general opposition to the Iranian government. The protests were met with a violent response from the Iranian government, which also closed down the internet in the country on 8 January to prevent communications. Estimates of casualties from the violence, which has included many accounts of government forces firing into crowds of protesters, range from 2,000 – 12,000 and many thousands of protesters have been arrested.
On 14 January, Church in Chains partner Article 18 reported that “at least seven Iranian-Armenian Christians are among the thousands murdered by the Islamic Republic’s security forces over the past few days.” One of the Christian victims was named by Armenian media as Ejmin Masihi. It is also known that at least one Christian convert is among the thousands arrested for protesting.
The violent crackdown has drawn wide international condemnation from many EU states and also the UK and the USA, whose president Donald Trump has threatened military action against Iran.
Irish Government slow to respond
The Irish government was slow to respond to the crackdown in Iran, not making any comment until 11 January (two weeks after the protests began). Taoiseach Micheál Martin wrote on X: “The people of Iran have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The repression must end. I urge the authorities in Tehran to uphold the rights of all their citizens. The violence must stop, the curtailing of basic freedoms must end, and dialogue begin at once.” Foreign Minister Helen McEntee also condemned the violence against protesters.
On 13 January, a planned formal ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin to accredit the new Iranian ambassador to Ireland, Eshagh Al Habib, was postponed as the Department of Foreign Affairs deemed it “inappropriate” to accredit the new ambassador given the current situation in Iran.
Statement from Iranian Christians
Last week, the World Iranian Christian Alliance (set up in 2025 to offer a united voice for Iranian Christians) issued a statement expressing “our deep concern regarding the suppression of the nationwide protests that have erupted. As the evidence clearly indicates, these protests are not merely a response to economic hardships people face, but are rooted in a systematic absence of justice and reflect a far deeper crisis.
“The right to protest peacefully is a fundamental right of citizens who find themselves alienated from – or deprived of – justice, human dignity, and meaningful participation in determining their own future. An economy weakened under renewed international sanctions, persistent gas and electricity shortages, growing water scarcity, an escalating cost-of-living crisis, and the continued denial of basic social and political freedoms have all directly undermined the human dignity of citizens.
“Accordingly, we call upon the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect the human dignity of citizens and to refrain from repeating past practices of resorting to violent repression of protests. We firmly condemn the mislabelling of citizens who protest peacefully and their portrayal as ‘rioters’ as a means of justifying violence against them. Peaceful protest is an indisputable right of every citizen, and harm to the lives and property of protesters must neither be ignored nor normalised.
“We call upon Iranian Christians to engage in prayer, responsible reflection, and conscientious action – so that, guided by faith and moral conscience, they may find ways to support justice, protect human life, and stand with those who suffer. Our hope remains that Iran may move toward a brighter future grounded in justice, compassion, and respect for the rights of all citizens.”
On 14 January, Article18 stated: “The Islamic Republic has also significantly undermined its legitimacy through systematic repression and mass violence. Countries should recall their ambassadors from Iran as a clear signal that relations cannot continue as normal. The Iranian regime can no longer be regarded as a legitimate member of the international community, having gravely violated both national and international laws. What is unfolding in Iran today is not an internal political dispute—it is a sustained assault on human dignity, life, and fundamental rights.”
Iranian regime response no surprise to Christians
Iranian Christians are not surprised at the repression that is being experienced by protesters – arbitrary arrests, beatings and accusations of being anti-state and part of a Zionist conspiracy. These have all been made against Christians numerous times. In August 2025, Church in Chains reported that Iranian state media had accused recently-arrested Christians of engaging in espionage, in what Article 18’s director Mansour Borji called a “clear example of hate speech”.
Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence arrested over fifty Christians in the month following the conflict with Israel which took place in June, later announcing that they had been detained on account of their “anti-security activities”. A video report broadcast on state television accused the detained Christians of links to foreign entities, collaboration with opposition groups and attempts to undermine national security, and shows footage of some of them attending a gathering in Turkey, alleged surveillance recordings of Bibles being “smuggled” into Iran and screenshots of confiscated items including New Testaments, other Christian literature and copies of the Alcoholics Anonymous handbook – all in an attempt to fabricate security cases against Christian converts.
Christian protesters “scapegoated”
Barnabas Aid has reported that at least ten Christians have been arrested in Iran’s south-western province of Fars, supposedly for leading anti-government protests, stating: “Our partners on the ground report a disturbing trend – that the Iranian government is increasingly using the Christian minority as a scapegoat, accusing believers of inciting and leading these demonstrations.
“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. Please pray, as we expect more arrests in the coming nights.”
“The atmosphere is one of intense fear,” said a house church pastor. “The authorities are not just looking for protesters; they are looking for targets they can use to tell a story of foreign interference.
“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.”
How should we pray for Iran?
Davood H. M. (pastor of the Iranian Gospel Church in Dublin) said, “There is no good news coming out of Iran at the moment… everyone is suffering. We are praying and hoping that, by God’s grace, this battle will be the last battle and Iran will become a free country and everyone can live a free life. We pray that above all there will be an opportunity to introduce the Lord Jesus to people and that His Name will be glorified.”
Church in Chains partner Elam Ministries circulated the following five prayer points on 12 January.
- For God’s will to prevail and for His peace and justice to cover Iran
- For the internet blackout to end and communication to reopen
- For loved ones of the hundreds who have been killed amid the protests
- For the thousands of protestors who have been arrested
- For Christians who are still ministering inside Iran
(Article 18, Barnabas Aid, Elam Ministries, Institute of War, RTÉ News, World Iranian Christian Alliance and other sources)
Images: World Iranian Christian Alliance, Government of Ireland, Elam Ministries
Map: Wikimedia Commons/ Uwe Dedering