Iran (MNN) — A harsh crackdown on protestors in Iran appears to have crushed unrest for now. The death toll continues to rise as reports leak out of the country; totals range from 5,000 to more than 16,000.

Dane with unfoldingWord says an ongoing blackout cut them off from Bible translators in Iran.

“With the internet shut down, they’re all just kind of focused on staying out of view,” he explains.

Tehran protests began in late December over inflation. Then, the language quickly morphed into anti-regime rhetoric. The movement gained support early on from U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened intervention before the country went dark.

Translators press on

Despite the risk, believers will continue translating the Bible into Iran’s minority languages. Project Director Siroos Torabi tells Dane:

“God has placed it in human nature to seek the truth. This was dangerous, even in Jesus’ time. But the danger could not stop the spread of the good news, and obviously, it’s not going to stop it now.”

(Graphic courtesy of unfoldingWord)

In partnership with Transform Iran, “they’re working on translations into 20 ethnic languages,” Dane says. Learn more about the project here.

“Four of those are for complete Bibles, and the rest are other Christian materials, such as unfoldingWord’s Open Bible Stories.”

“Something I could not ignore”

Bible translation is on pause while believers remain in hiding. Even so, the Holy Spirit is still at work in Iran. A Muslim scholar recently came to Christ after reading Scripture in his heart language, Arabic Khuzestani.

“He said, ‘The first chapter of the Gospel of John captivated me,’” Dane shares.

“‘The text was simple, but at the same time, so profound and unique that I either had to accept it as truth or believe it was all a lie. But the feeling that I felt in my heart as I read these words was not something I could ignore.’”

Now, the man boldly proclaims the Gospel truth. “When Muslims come to Christ like this, they put their lives on the line to share it,” Dane says.

How to help

Ask the Lord to protect His followers in Iran and provide for their daily needs.

“Pray that they can manage to get some medium of exchange that is worth something because the Iranian currency is completely devalued now,” Dane requests.

“I pray that the plans of good men and women will prevail, and the plans of evil men and women will collapse upon their heads, and that God would deliver this beautiful country from the thieves that took it over 47 years ago.”

 

Header image is a representative AI photo generated by ChatGPT depicting protests and prayer in Iran.