Iran (MNN) — Human rights observers say Iran has been killing more protesters since the war began in late February.

Executions have taken place nearly every week since mid-March. In the last month, 16 men – eight political prisoners and eight protesters – have been hanged in Iran.

At the same time, a 54-nation UN panel chose the Islamic Republic to oversee a committee that shapes human rights policy. The United States was the only member nation to object to several selections, including Iran’s.

(Photo courtesy Transform Iran)

“It’s just so obviously ridiculous,” Lana Silk of Transform Iran says.

“On what level does this make sense?: A country that is one of the world’s worst perpetrators of human rights violations, particularly for women’s rights, sitting and influencing human rights on an international level.”

UN watchdogs are calling on member nations to explain themselves. “The timing is extremely suspicious,” Silk says.

“Iran has been a violator of human rights for 47 years, but aggressively so in the last few months. Why is this (UN appointment) happening now?”

Faith grows amid rising persecution

More than 1,600 people were executed by the Iranian regime last year, breaking a 1989 record. While atrocities advance, so does the Gospel. “Even just this morning, I was speaking to one of our ministry leaders about some missionary trips that we’re lining up for the next few weeks,” Silk says.

“People are active and wanting to spread the Gospel, and those hearing it are responding positively.”

Read about life inside Iran during the ceasefire here.

Transform Iran supports indigenous Gospel workers on several fronts, including evangelism and church planting, as well as relief and recovery. Learn more about its efforts here.

“In some of these harder spaces, where all this ugliness is going on, we see darkness. Behind the scenes, God is redeeming people, and we are seeing salvations constantly in Iran,” Silk says.

“What would be good for us is to dig beneath the surface, learn about ministries working in these spaces, allow our spirits to be encouraged by the good work that God is doing, and then join in – help advance it, empower it, pray for it.”

 

Header image depicts Iranian security forces opening fire on street protestors in January 2026. Header and story images courtesy of Transform Iran.