World Watch List 2023

 The World Watch List is Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. 
Explore the profiles for each country to find in-depth information about their situation, believers' stories, and specific prayer requests.

 

How many Christians are there in Iran?

There are only about 800,000 Christians in Iran, from a population of over 84.3 million – that’s about one per cent of Iranians.

What does persecution look like in Iran?

Converts from Islam to Christianity are most at risk of persecution, especially by the government and to a lesser extent by society and their own families.  

The government sees the growth of the church in Iran as an attempt by Western countries to undermine Islam and the Islamic regime of Iran. House groups made up of converts from Muslim backgrounds are often raided, and both their leaders and members have been arrested, prosecuted and given long prison sentences for "crimes against national security."

The historical communities of Armenian and Assyrian Christians are recognized and protected by the state, but they are treated as second-class citizens and are not allowed contact with Christians from Muslim backgrounds.  

Who is most vulnerable to persecution?

Converts from Islam to Christianity are most at risk of persecution, especially by the government, and to a lesser extent, by society and their own families.

Government control is highest in urban areas, while rural areas are less monitored. However, the anonymity of urban areas gives Christians more freedom to organize meetings and activities than in rural areas where social control is higher.

Meet "Ashouri"

Hamed Ashouri, who was sentenced to ten months imprisonment for Christian activities. He refused to inform on other Christians, resulting in him being beaten by the authorities.

“I thank God for considering me worthy of enduring this persecution because of Him.”

Ashouri

What has changed compared to last year?

The severity of persecution facing Christians in Iran remains largely unchanged.
Sadly, things may get worse following changes to the country's penal code, which further strangles religious freedom. Under the amendments, teaching the Bible or telling others about the Christian faith—which contradicts the teaching of Islam—could result in prosecution, as could the claim that Christians can communicate with Jesus, whom Islamic teaching regards as a prophet. Christians could also be accused of "insults ... with the intent to cause violence or tensions." This vague wording is open to interpretation, making Christians more vulnerable to unjust accusations.  

What does Open Doors do to help Christians in Iran?

Open Doors supports the church in Iran through partners with online ministry presence, Christian multimedia initiatives and advocacy.