Tehran: In a renewed wave of repression targeting religious minorities, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has arrested at least 21 Christians over the past two weeks, in cities such as Tehran, Rasht, and Urmia, according to a report by UK-based advocacy group Article 18. The arrests, which follow closely on the heels of the temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel, are being described as part of a broader crackdown on minorities under the pretext of national security and anti-state allegations.
The NGO revealed that while 21 detentions have been confirmed, the actual number may be higher, with additional arrests reportedly carried out in secret or yet to be formally acknowledged by Iranian authorities. Among the most troubling allegations are that some individuals were arrested merely for possessing a Bible, a move that human rights experts have condemned as deeply discriminatory and emblematic of Iran’s escalating intolerance toward non-Muslim faiths.
UN experts Mai Sato and Nazila Ghanea, both serving in the special rapporteur system, sharply criticized the Iranian regime’s actions. In a joint statement, they warned against the use of post-conflict instability as a justification to silence dissent, particularly targeting minorities based on religion or ethnicity. The pair also denounced the state-controlled media’s portrayal of Christians as “traitors”, saying such rhetoric fosters public hostility and dehumanization.
Currently, at least 11 Christians remain in detention at Evin Prison, a facility notorious for its political inmates and harsh conditions. Others, including Aida Najaflou, a Muslim convert to Christianity and a known voice against Iran’s treatment of minority detainees, have been transferred to Kharchak Prison, where reports of abuse, overcrowding, and denial of medical care are widespread.
Aida, who has long spoken out against the harsh realities faced by Christian converts, is now among the latest victims of what many view as systematic religious persecution. Advocacy groups report that she and others have been denied access to lawyers, and families are struggling to obtain information about their whereabouts or legal status.
Iran currently ranks ninth on Open Doors’ Global Watch List, which highlights nations where Christians face the most extreme forms of oppression. This latest wave of arrests reinforces Iran’s position on that list and highlights the increasing vulnerability of Christians, particularly converts from Islam, who are often accused of acting against national interests or colluding with foreign powers.
As calls grow louder for international diplomatic pressure, human rights observers fear that unless immediate action is taken, Iran’s Christian community may continue to shrink under the weight of surveillance, harassment, and arbitrary detention.