Iran (MNN) — Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed Monday that protests in Iran are “under total control.” State television showed images of pro-government demonstrators taking to the streets across the country.
Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran (Photo By FDD – FDD Maximum Support: Operationalizing the Other Iran Policy Event, CC BY-SA 2.0)
The government has certainly tried to regain control, cutting internet services last week and using violent force. US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported Sunday that over 10,600 people have been detained and at least 544 killed in the first two weeks of protests that began December 28, 2025.
But there’s another side to the crackdown. “The people are fighting back,” says Lana Silk with Transform Iran. “There have been images of the Iranian police running from the crowds because they were at risk. I’ve seen images of clerics who’ve been driving away, trying to hide their identity. You know, the people are angry at the Islamic regime, and all the clerics symbolize Islam in Iran.”
Iran has gone through other protests in the years since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. However, Silk says promised support from the United States and encouragement from Iran’s exiled crown prince have helped Iranians across all demographics come together in an unprecedented way. But it’s not enough.
“They’re fighting with stones and sticks, and the government is fighting with machine guns. It’s a totally different kind of battle,” says Silk. “So this is not the time to go, ‘Well done, Iranians. Good job. Now we sit back and watch you take hold of your land.’ They still need help.”
What’s more, the protests and crackdowns are signs of a spiritual battle that is touching not only Iran but the Middle East today, says Silk. “We need the support of the global church to see a final push through. This isn’t just about one country in isolation. If the enemy loses his hold in Iran, there is a huge domino effect that comes out of that.
“So let’s pray with faith. Let’s get behind Christian ministries who are serving in that area and empower them — again, also with prayer, but with resources, with support, with advocacy.”
(Photo courtesy of Transform Iran)
Transform Iran is one such ministry. For years, the team has been praying in faith and getting ready for God’s answer for an open Iran.
“We have been preparing with people, with Bibles, with plans and projects in place, ready to step in and do good in that land for the people of Iran,” says Silk. “So we’re watching carefully, and we’re making sure that we ourselves are ready for whatever comes next.”
Pray for God’s kingdom to come in Iran and the surrounding nations. You’re standing with believers in Iran when you do so.
“All Iranians have a great sense of hope right now. But you know, the Christians have been praying about this,” says Silk. “There has been a lot of prayer for many, many years of Christians praying for a change, whether it was a shift in regime or whether it was repentance in the Islamic leadership. One way or another, Iran needed a change.”
Header photo of Tehran, Iran (Photo courtesy of Mohammad Amirahmadi/Unsplash)
