Iranian Christians Face Surge In Arrests As Crackdown Deepens

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Christian advocacy groups have expressed alarm over what they describe as a sharp rise in arrests and mistreatment of Christians in Iran, particularly converts, accusing the Islamic Republic of increasingly using national security laws to suppress religious dissent.

A joint annual report titled “Scapegoats: Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran” documents 254 arrests of Christians in 2025 — nearly double the number recorded the previous year.

The study was compiled by the nonprofits Article 18, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), and Middle East Concern (MEC).

Rights advocates say the surge reflects what they describe as a strategic shift by Iranian authorities to frame Christian converts as security threats amid rising geopolitical tensions.

“The Islamic Republic is a religious apartheid state where non-recognized minorities like Christian converts are not considered citizens but just ‘ghosts’ in the eyes of the regime,” said Fred Petrossian, an Iranian-Armenian researcher specializing in religious minorities who collaborates with Article 18.

SECURITY CHARGES TARGET CONVERTS

The report says authorities have increasingly relied on Article 500 bis of Iran’s penal code, which criminalizes “propaganda contrary to the holy religion of Islam.” Nearly 90 percent of charges against Christians in 2025 were brought under this provision, which carries prison sentences of up to 10 years, according to the document.

Advocates argue that the law has been used to target converts from Islam, who are not officially recognized under Iran’s constitution.

The findings seen by Worthy News say Islamic authorities have labeled some converts as “security threats” and “Mossad mercenaries,” referring to Israel’s intelligence service, amid mounting tensions with Israel and the United States.

While ethnic Armenian and Assyrian Christians are officially recognized religious minorities, they are prohibited from preaching in Persian or welcoming converts.

Petrossian described what he called a “two-tier” system in which recognized minorities are used to project an image of tolerance while converts face prosecution.

CHRISTMAS MEETINGS DRAW SCRUTINY

“Recognition does not mean full rights,” Petrossian said. “The moment members of these communities cross the state’s red lines, they face repression similar to converts.”

He pointed to Christmas celebrations, which in recent years have gained visibility even among ordinary Iranians despite clerical disapproval.

A video seen by Worthy News shows people in the capital, Tehran, gathering around a large Christmas tree on Mirza-ye Shirazi Street late last year, a well-known Christian neighborhood in the city.

Advocates say such public displays of Christian identity can draw increased scrutiny when converts gather privately.

PRISON CONDITIONS AND CASES

The video, reviewed by Worthy News, underscored reported Christian resilience in what advocates describe as “a widening use of national security laws” to suppress religious and Christian dissent.

The report also documents alleged mistreatment of Christian detainees, including psychological pressure and the denial of medical care.

Among the cases cited are Narges Nasri, a pregnant convert sentenced to 16 years in prison for her faith and social media support of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement; Aida Najaflou, who fractured her spine in prison and reportedly received delayed surgery; and Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, who suffered a stroke while in solitary confinement.

Petrossian added that the struggle for Christian freedom in Iran is inseparable from the broader fight for human rights and civil liberties for all citizens. He said Christians have also been among those killed during recent unrest. Christianity Today magazine previously reported that at least 18 Christians were killed in protest-related violence in Iran.

The report notes that broader repression has affected citizens across religious and ethnic backgrounds.

IRAN RANKS 10TH ON WORLD WATCH LIST

According to Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, Iran ranks tenth globally with a score of 87 out of 100.

Open Doors estimates that in a population of more than 92 million people, roughly 800,000 Christians live in Iran. While historic Armenian and Assyrian communities are officially recognized, evangelical converts from Islam face the greatest pressure.

Advocacy groups say Christians are increasingly being scapegoated during periods of political tension and domestic unrest.

United Nations officials have reported several thousand protest-related deaths acknowledged by Iranian authorities in recent years, while human rights groups have cited significantly higher figures.

CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

The report urges the international community to hold Iran accountable under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the freedom to adopt and practice a religion of one’s choice.

“For nearly half a century, the Islamic Republic has systematically restricted religious freedom and suppressed dissent,” the report states.

Iranian authorities have previously defended security-related prosecutions as necessary to protect national stability and Islamic traditions.

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