Increase in Arrests of Christian Citizens in Iran Following Israeli and American Military Attacks
Arrests and persecution of Christian citizens in Iran are increasing following military attacks by Israel and the United States against Iran.
Following extensive military strikes by Israel and the United States against Iran’s nuclear and military facilities in June, human rights sources report a new wave of arrests and persecution of religious minorities in Iran. According to credible reports, Christian citizens have been direct targets of security forces during this period.
Based on information released by domestic civil activists, security forces have raided several house churches in the days and weeks following the attacks and arrested a number of Christian citizens. They face accusations such as “promoting Christianity,” “contact with foreign entities,” and “espionage for Israel.”
An informed source who requested anonymity for security reasons stated: “The charge of espionage has become a tool these days for suppressing any religious activity outside the official framework. Many of our loved ones have been arrested solely because of their faith.”
Reports also show that some detained Christians have been subjected to prolonged interrogations without access to lawyers and in closed courts. This occurs despite the fact that Iran’s Constitution recognizes Christianity as one of the official religions; however, in practice, citizens who have converted from Islam to Christianity receive no legal protection and are frequently faced with charges of “apostasy” or “actions against national security.”
According to international observers, more than 700 members of religious, ethnic, and political minorities have been arrested during the crackdown wave following the ceasefire. Some independent sources report the execution of at least 6 detainees during this period.
Human rights activists have also warned about the Islamic Republic’s use of external tensions to increase domestic control and suppress religious freedoms. International organizations have called for immediate action by the global community to support detainees, including Christians.
As the space for expressing Christian faith in Iran becomes increasingly restricted, house churches, which serve as gathering places for thousands of Farsi-speaking Christians, now face greater threats than ever before. The cases of religious minorities continue to be pursued by families despite lack of access to lawyers and fair trials, and they call upon all believers and international organizations to bring the voice of this suffering community to the attention of the world.
