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Iranian Christians Face Deadly Crackdown as Authorities Target Gospel Broadcasts
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
TEHRAN, Iran (Worthy News) – Iranian Christians are facing deaths, arrests and mounting restrictions on Christian broadcasting, even as an underground ministry reports thousands of people turning to Jesus Christ.
Hormoz Shariat, founder of Texas-based Iran Alive Ministries, told Baptist Press on August 20 that at least 33 ministers connected to its network had been killed in recent months. He said another 131 had been arrested, with 14 remaining imprisoned at the time, including some reportedly facing death sentences. These figures are ministry accounts reported by Baptist Press, rather than an independently verified national tally.
The crackdown extends to Christian media, a vital source of Bible teaching for believers unable to worship openly.
Religious-freedom organization Article18 reported July 15 that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence had designated Christian satellite networks Sat-7, Nejat, Seven and Mohabat TV as hostile organizations. Authorities warned that cooperation with listed outlets, including sending photographs or videos, could lead to prosecution under an espionage law introduced after the 2025 conflict with Israel. Article18 said at least five Christians had already been charged under that law, receiving combined prison sentences exceeding 40 years.
Baptist Press also reported that listening to religious broadcasts had been criminalized. Article18’s account specifically describes prosecution for cooperation with blacklisted outlets; it does not establish that every instance of private viewing automatically constitutes an offense.
The pressure follows a documented increase in arrests. A joint annual report from Article18, Open Doors, CSW and Middle East Concern recorded 254 Christians arrested for faith-related activities in 2025, compared with 139 in 2024—an increase of approximately 83 percent. The organizations called for prisoners’ release and the reopening of churches closed by authorities.
For Christians who regard religious liberty as a God-given right, these reports demand sustained attention. Peaceful worship, Bible teaching and sharing the Gospel should never be treated as threats to national security.
Yet the ministry reports continued conversions. Shariat told Baptist Press that Iran Alive had recorded 5,849 decisions for Christ during 2026 by the time of his interview. That number reflects the ministry’s reported evangelistic activity, rather than a nationwide count of new Christians.
Iran’s spiritual condition and Christianity’s growth over 25 years
Iran remains an Islamic republic where recognized historic Christian communities have limited freedom to practice their faith, while converts and evangelists face arrests and severe penalties. Its spiritual landscape nevertheless includes a substantial Christian presence beyond officially recognized congregations. A 2020 GAMAAN survey found 1.5 percent of respondents identified as Christian; researchers told Article18 that this suggested approximately 750,000–950,000 Christians within the population represented by the survey.
“Iran has the fastest growing evangelical community in the world,” according to Iran Alive Ministries.
The available evidence cannot reliably establish an exact national growth percentage for 2001–2026. One concrete indication of expansion is Iran Alive’s report of more than 115,000 documented decisions for Christ since 2001. Such decisions show evangelistic reach, but they cannot be equated with net population growth or verified church membership.
For the wider Church, the response begins with prayer for prisoners, grieving families, and courageous believers—and a firm defense of their freedom to follow Christ.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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