We continue to pray for the end of the Iran war and for the persecution of Christians in Iran to END! We give glory to our LORD that many Muslims are still converting to Christianity!!!
Baptist Press
By Diana Chandler, posted August 24, 2026 in International News, Persecution
TEHRAN (BP) – Dozens of Christians are among those killed and imprisoned amid rising persecution in Iran, Texas-based Iran Alive Ministries told Baptist Press, citing cases from among its underground church network in Iran.
In one of its latest moves against evangelism, the Iranian government blacklisted religious broadcasts and as of July 2026, criminalized listening to such broadcasts, several religious persecution watchdog groups reported, including Open Doors U.S.
At least 33 ministers serving with Iran Alive were killed within the past few months, as Iran Alive founder Hormoz Shariat told Baptist Press on August 20, 2026. Among 131 others arrested, 14 are currently imprisoned, with some on death row.
“This is just a snap picture of the people connected to Iran Alive,” Shariat said in its latest webinar. “There are so many other Christians who have been killed, who’ve been arrested.”
Many of those arrested, 114, are unaccounted for, the ministry said, while four are facing prosecution but have been able to evade arrest. Among others, two have been released under surveillance and one is under house arrest. Eight have been released, Shariat reported, citing sources on the ground in Iran.
Alive provided to Baptist Press names of 20 among the persecuted, including four who are deceased, but names were not available for 156. The deaths followed widespread civilian protests in January that resulted in the government killing an estimated 40,000 to 50,000 civilians.
But many Muslims are still converting to Christianity there, Shariat said, citing 5,849 salvations in 2026 through Iran Alive Ministries alone and estimating substantially more.
“This new generation rising up as leaders, they are on fire for the Lord,” Shariat said of those attending his latest leadership training. “With the miserable life that they have in Iran, the heavens are open. God is at work.”
Shariat described the government criminalization of Christianity as a blessing, referencing Matthew 5:10.More Here
