Source: www.persecution.org
Date: July 29, 2024
Iran (International Christian Concern) — The election of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, in early July, brings little hope for Christians living under the new regime due to the nation’s relentless persecution of Christ followers.
Pezeshkian, who positioned himself as a moderate against his main rival, Saeed Jalili, won a run-off election after Iran’s previous president was killed in a helicopter crash in May.
Despite Pezeshkian’s claims to be a reformer in women’s and minority rights, he has proudly announced his allegiance to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, a man who has persecuted Christians for decades.
The Supreme Leader Khamenei, also known as the Ayatollah, is broadly considered to be the ultimate authority and the final say in all matters related to the Iranian government and law.
According to Iran International, Pezeshkian stated in an interview today that Khamenei’s objectives for the Middle Eastern nation are the correct path for the country to follow.
“We do have the broad policies coming from His Greatness…[Khamenei]. I did say in our [presidential] debates that those policies are the guiding light of our path and define our goal,” Pezeshkian said.
International Christian Concern (ICC) named Pezeshkian’s influence and superior, Khamenei, as a top persecutor in 2022 for his atrocious attacks on Christians. According to the ICC Persecutor of the Year report, “The Ayatollah is responsible for the brutal torture and execution of many Iranian Christians.”
Additionally, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom currently lists nine Christians who are imprisoned in Iran for their Christian faith, many of whom are detained for “practicing their religion as a convert [to Christianity].”
In addition to Pezeshkian’s willingness to align himself with Khamenei, he has levied false claims at Israel, saying it’s an apartheid state that is “a compulsive aggressor” in a message he penned after the election. In his statement, Pezeshkian also criticized the United States for pulling out of the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, in 2018, and called the United States’ sanctions against the nation “unlawful.” Additionally, Pezeshkian praised Russia and China, asserting that their friendship is “deeply value[d],” and stated that “we look forward to collaborating more extensively with Beijing as we advance towards a new global order.”
Pezeshkian’s sentiments against the West and his clear compliance with Khamenei’s policies, consisting of blatant persecution of Christians, likely adds up to continued suffering for Christ followers living in the nation.
In a report from Christianity Today, Iranian pastor Robert Karami explained the likelihood of a continued status quo and persecution of Christians.
“The [election] result highlights a superficial change in leadership,” Karami said. “It does not matter who holds the presidential office as long as the Supreme Leader remains in power.” Karami continued, stating that “until the power structure is fundamentally changed, the future for Christians [in Iran] remains bleak.”
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for godly leaders to come to power in the Middle East. Pray for strength for Iran’s persecuted community. Pray for the gospel to spread across Iran.