Calls Grow for U.S. to Address Iran’s Ongoing Persecution of Christians

Calls Grow for U.S. to Address Iran’s Ongoing Persecution of Christians

Reports indicate that Iran has intensified its crackdown on Christians this month, following the re-arrest of two individuals previously imprisoned for their faith. This development raises significant concerns regarding religious freedom in the region.

According to a report published on February 10 by Article18, a U.K.-based NGO dedicated to promoting religious liberties, two Christians in their sixties have been re-arrested after spending a combined six years in prison. The charges against them pertained to their roles in leading house churches.

Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shahbazian are now incarcerated in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran. Reports suggest that Gol-Tapeh has initiated a hunger strike as a form of protest against what has been termed an unlawful re-arrest. Article18 specifically advocates for the rights of persecuted Christians in Iran.

In addition, Article18 revealed that several other Christians from Tehran were also detained during this crackdown and are still in custody.

Pressure on the U.S. Administration

Iranian-Americans and activists are increasingly urging the Trump administration to take a stand against the Iranian regime’s egregious human rights violations. They argue that the U.S. should impose further punitive measures on the clerical regime in Tehran to highlight the ongoing struggles of Iranian Christians.

According to Alireza Nader, an expert on Iran, the persecution of Christians in the country is relentless. He stated that it is vital for the U.S. administration to publicly acknowledge their plight while exerting maximum economic and diplomatic pressure on the Iranian government.

Insights from Experts on Religious Minorities

Wahied Wahdat-Hagh, a German-Iranian political scientist specializing in religious minorities, emphasized the severity of discrimination faced by Christians in Iran. Citing the Open Doors 2025 annual report, he noted that Christian discrimination scores an alarming 86 out of 100, making Iran one of the worst countries for Christian persecution globally.

Wahdat-Hagh pointed out that the Iranian government perceives Christian converts as national security threats. Authorities believe these individuals are influenced by Western nations, seeking to undermine Islam and the regime. As a result, these converts face severe violations of religious freedom, including arrests and lengthy prison sentences.

The Struggles of Iranian Christians Abroad

Accounts from Iranian Christians who fled their homeland illustrate the alarming increase in conversions in an oppressive atmosphere. Sheina Vojoudi, an Iranian Christian who sought refuge in Germany, shared her experiences. She expressed that as belief in Islam declines within Iran, the rapid growth of Christianity poses a significant threat to the Islamic Republic’s ideology.

Despite a repressive environment, Iran has witnessed a significant rise in the number of Christian converts. International human rights organizations often recognize these converts as political prisoners of conscience. Even after being released from prison, they remain at risk of re-arrest and harsh penalties.

International Concern and Human Rights Advocacy

The plight of Iranian Christians has caught the attention of international bodies as well. Mai Sato, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, recently expressed serious concern about the situation in a presentation organized by Article18. She underscored the urgent need for global awareness and action regarding the persecution faced by Christians in the Islamic Republic.

The State of Religious Freedom in Iran

Recent reports from the U.S. State Department continue to shed light on the state of religious freedom in Iran. The 2023 report indicates that the Iranian government persists in regulating Christian religious practices. Farsi-language Christian worship remains forbidden, and state-run media continues to characterize private Christian gatherings as illegal.

The exact number of Christians in Iran is difficult to determine due to extensive repression. While the Iranian regime’s Statistical Center reported approximately 117,700 Christians of recognized denominations in a 2016 census, estimates vary widely. Boston University’s 2020 World Religion Database suggests around 579,000 Christians, while Article18 estimates the number to be between 500,000 to 800,000. Open Doors offers a higher figure, reporting 1.24 million Christians within the country.

U.S. Policies and the Need for Action

In early February, the Trump administration reinstated its maximum economic pressure campaign against Iran, aiming to curb Tehran’s aspirations to develop nuclear weapons and its support for extremist groups. Vojoudi, an associate fellow at the U.S.-based Gold Institute for International Strategy, emphasized the critical need for European nations and the United States to take decisive action. She highlighted the necessity of holding the Islamic Republic accountable for its support of terrorism and its persistent violations of religious freedoms.

She articulated that it is essential to uphold the values of freedom and human dignity that democratic nations profess to champion. This stance not only serves the interests of Christian converts but asserts a commitment to fundamental human rights.

Seeking Answers from Iranian Authorities

Despite multiple inquiries from Fox News Digital directed at Iran’s foreign ministry and its U.N. mission in New York, no responses have been received regarding the government’s stance on the imprisonment of individuals solely for exercising their Christian faith.