Iranian Christian Convert Plans Return as Fighter as War Raises Fears for Christians

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TEHRAN/BAGHDAD (Worthy News) – An Iranian Christian convert who fled a deadly crackdown on anti-government protests in early January says he plans to return to his homeland as a fighter, underscoring growing concerns over the safety of minority Christians amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.

Ali Rezaei Majd, a former fitness trainer from western Iran who built a following on the social media platform Instagram before the unrest, told the Christian Broadcasting Network he intends to “protect the sheep,” describing his decision as rooted in his Christian faith.

His story gained international attention after videos he posted during protests in the city of Doroud went viral, drawing millions of views and prompting authorities in the Islamic Republic to pursue him.

Majd said he witnessed security forces, including Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, opening fire on demonstrators demanding freedom during protests on January 5 before fleeing a day later as authorities began searching for him.

He eventually escaped across the border into Iraq after moving between locations to avoid arrest, leaving behind his home and livelihood.

CHRISTIANS UNDER PRESSURE IN IRAN

Iran remains one of the most difficult places in the world to practice Christianity, ranking among the top countries for persecution on the Open Doors World Watch List.

Christian converts from Islam are especially at risk of arrest, imprisonment, and harsh treatment, according to advocacy groups, with several believers currently held in prisons across the Islamic Republic.

Rights groups say several Christian converts remain detained in Iran, while past cases such as that of Yousef Nadarkhani, a pastor once sentenced to death for apostasy, have highlighted the risks faced by believers in the Islamic Republic.

Advocacy groups, United Nations experts, and networks of local doctors say the scale of the crackdown on protesters may be far higher than officially acknowledged, with estimates suggesting that tens of thousands of demonstrators were killed by Iran’s rulers, though the figures remain difficult to independently verify amid restrictions on information.

Rights groups warn that the ongoing conflict could further intensify pressure on religious minorities, including members of underground house churches.

WAR ADDS TO INSTABILITY AND RISKS

Majd, who said he practiced Christianity secretly for years in Iran, was baptized after reaching Iraq and has since joined a Kurdish armed group training near the Iranian border.

“As a Christian, I forgive all IRGC. I will pray for them every day,” he said, referring to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. “But I think I am like a sheepdog for the Lord. A sheepdog sometimes must protect the sheep.”

His decision to take up arms comes as tensions in the region have escalated sharply, with the war between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces fueling instability across the Middle East.

Analysts warn that the conflict, combined with internal unrest, could further endanger vulnerable groups inside Iran, including Christians already facing pressure from authorities.

Majd said he hopes for a “free Iran,” even as he acknowledged the risks of returning.

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