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Thursday, July 24, 2025

IRAN: Convicted Christian Deported and Arrested

Source: VOMC
Sources: Article18, Middle East Concern, Church in Chains

Mehran

Mehran Shamloui
Photo: Article 18
 

On March 8th, Mehran Shamloui was one of three Christians convicted in Iran for "propaganda" and membership in an alleged "opposition group." He was sentenced to more than ten years in prison. (For more details, see this report.)

Following their conviction, all three believers fled the country while they were on bail. Once arriving in Türkiye, Mehran knew that the process for obtaining refugee status in this country is often very long and usually unsuccessful. Hoping for a better chance at safety, the Christian man attempted to travel westward into Europe. However, he was apprehended by Turkish authorities before reaching the border.

On July 3rd, Mehran had been forcibly returned to Iran, where he was taken into custody by the Iranian authorities. Although his exact location remains unknown, it is believed that the detained believer has since been transferred to a prison to begin serving his sentence. The notorious Evin Prison, where many Christian prisoners were previously held, was damaged in a June 23rd Israeli airstrike. As a result, all inmates have been transferred to other facilities throughout the country – many of which are already overcrowded.

Since the attacks on Iran by American and Israeli forces in June, the Iranian authorities have intensified their crackdown on anyone who is perceived to be collaborating with "hostile nations," such as the United States and Israel. This includes the country's Christians, who are commonly labelled as "Zionists." At least 21 believers were arrested within the first two weeks of the June 25th ceasefire agreement. However, few details about these cases have been made public.

  • Pray for greatly needed strength, encouragement and protection on behalf of Mehran, as well as the many other Christians who are being held captive in prisons across Iran merely because of their faith in Christ.
  • Ask the Lord to make a way for all charges against these believers to be dropped so they can be rightfully released.
  • Pray that the church in Iran will continue to experience exponential growth, even at a time of intense persecution.
  • Continue to prayerfully uphold our Christian brothers and sisters who are being forced to secretly worship in this Middle Eastern nation, asking God to supernaturally sustain them through His reassuring presence and peace.

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