The air strikes by Israel and the United States against Iran have shocked the world and sparked brutal retaliation across the Middle East. The bid to weaken or overturn Tehran’s hardline Islamic regime has reopened an urgent question for churches across the globe: might this moment, however tragic, offer an unexpected opening for religious liberty in Iran — or will it only deepen persecution?
Iran is already one of the most difficult places on earth to follow Christ. According to Open Doors UK & Ireland, Iranian believers — especially converts from Islam — live under constant suspicion and risk arrest simply for meeting in house churches. The nation has consistently ranked among the worst offenders against religious freedom. In times of political crisis and unrest, suspicion against Christians intensifies. They may be accused of espionage or foreign interference, and security forces often use vague ‘national security’ charges to justify arrests.
