Despite the saber-rattling, the two nations appear to be edging toward resumed nuclear talks. Previous talks were effectively halted by the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June.

Within Iran, the regime’s brutal response to protestors seems to have quieted the streets. Yet Edwin Abnous with Heart4Iran says, “The real battle for people’s hearts and Iran’s future is nowhere near over. The very pain that sparked this — the corruption, the hardship, the oppression — is still there.”

Anti-government protests first started December 28, 2025 over the plummeting value of the Iranian rial. (Stock photo of Iranian currency courtesy of Ashkan Forouzani via Unsplash)

Iran’s government has acknowledged over 3,000 deaths during anti-government protests. However, U.S. human rights activists have confirmed over 6,840 deaths, with thousands more reports being investigated.

“We may never know the full toll on this side of heaven, really, but every single life was someone God created, precious to Him, and He knows each name,” says Abnous.

“What I’m hearing from people inside [Iran] is a deep sadness mixed with stubborn hope. Many are crushed by deaths, brutality and now threats of more executions.”

At the same time, beautiful stories are coming out despite the darkness, says Abnous. Stories of “whole families coming to faith because they have had enough of this regime’s empty promises.”

“Believers [are] telling me they are praying boldly, sharing the gospel carefully, and sensing God’s presence with people on the streets in the middle of all this craziness.”

Iran needs more than one day’s worth of attention. Would you commit to pray for its people during February especially? Please pray daily. 

“We’re witnessing terrible injustice, state-sponsored violence trying to break an entire society, targeting women, minorities, and believers. There are even reports of execution and intimidation meant to scare people into submission. The Book of Psalms gives us words to cry out about that,” says Abnous. (Consider Psalm 13.)

“We need to be praying for the comfort of grieving families and healing for the wounded people who have been shot on the streets.”

Pray also for courage for underground believers sharing the gospel. Also, pray for God’s will to be done in and among Iran’s leaders.

“They need Jesus, too. He tells us to pray for those who harm others,” says Abnous. “Please pray [that] this shaking leads to a great harvest — souls finding real life in Christ.”

(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

Header image is a stock photo courtesy of Saba Ardani via Unsplash.

It is a national celebration, but what does it mean to people today? Amir with Heart4Iran says, “Actually, these days the Islamic Republic(‘s) popularity has dropped in the past year.”

Amir says this decrease in trust for the regime probably comes from its executions and suppression of the women’s rights movement. 

Even from the beginning, the revolution failed in its promises for religious freedom.

“They say that ‘All the religions, they are free.’ But that was not right, because they start(ed) to persecute Christians. They start(ed) to persecute Baha’is. Life changed a lot for many, many people in Iran.”

Join Iranian believers in prayer for the future (Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

Jews were also among those who received persecution. Tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims were also present.

“Christian now more than ever, must shine in the light of Christ upon the darkness created by the Islamic Republic in Iran. If every Christian were to share the gospel with just one person today and they repent, imagine how much the situation in Iran would be change(d).” says Amir.

Some believers are not afraid of what their faith in Christ may cost them, but at the same time they are concerned for the safety of their families. That’s why some Christians have chosen to leave the country. Pray for courage for those who remain in Iran — especially Muslim-background believers, who often face additional pressures and threats.

Finally, join Heart4Iran in praying for Iranians who have not yet accepted Christ.

“We have to love them and pray for them until they see the face of the Christ, because everybody need(s) love. Praise the Lord, in Christianity, God is love,” says Amir. 

Click here to learn more about the ministry vision of Heart4Iran to see all of Iran saved.

Header photo of Tehran, Iran courtesy of Hamid Mohammad Hossein Zadeh Hashemi via Unsplash.

“The believers still don’t connect to each other because they’re afraid because the persecution,” he says. “They have this fear to connect and to share and to witness.”

That persecution largely stems from a lack of stability in Libya’s government and leadership. Some countries face eras of violence or conflict over specific issues; Libya faces these obstacles constantly. “Libya has plunged into chaos and divisions with government[s] competent for the power,” Jaballah says. “The government is like two states in one.”

The one thing that seems to remain consistent is that Libya is a primarily Islamic country. Unfortunately, this means that extremists take special offense to Christians who have converted from Islam. “If anybody left Islam… they believe they can kill them or persecute them.”

Right now, at least six believers are languishing in Libyan prisons awaiting sentencing for illegal converstion from Islam. One of the potential punishments they could face is execution.

What’s the solution? Jaballah says it’s important to fall back on God’s plan and pray. “We keep praying for the stability and the peace,” he says. “Persecution is not something new. It’s not something just happened for our believers there in Libya; persecution [is] part in our faith.”

Especially pray for the leaders. They’re the ones who other Libyan Christians, sometimes terrified and questioning Libyan Christians, are looking to for comfort and guidance. In turn, those leaders are turning to God.

Jabllah likes to remind the Church in Libya that while they have a history spotted by persecution, that history is also one held up by strong Christian leaders and a heritage of God-given strength. “And so we encourage them through many ways: prayer, teaching, and discipling.”

If you want to follow the stories of the Libyan Church, you can do that alongside us here at Mission Network News. You can also read stories from believers on the ground in Libya, especially those working with Voice of the Martyrs Canada, right here.

Header photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada.

“We are at a tipping point inside of Iran.”

Passionate activists vow to remain in the streets despite the government’s intensified crackdown. “It’s going to get worse because anger and grief are mobilizing families, friends, and acquaintances of the killed protesters,” an Iranian university student told DW.

Comprised of former Muslims, GCM disciples believers from a Muslim background in Iran and worldwide. More about that here. Reza and his cohorts have been monitoring the situation carefully, constantly communicating with believers on the ground.

“Iran is a powder keg waiting for something to ignite it, and this (protest movement) might be it,” Reza says.

“[When] riots were happening back in September, I said, ‘Until the IRGC, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, comes out and starts to stop this, we won’t see what the riots are made of,’” he recalls.

The underground Church in Iran isn’t stopping or giving up in the face of the chaos.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Global Catalytic Ministries)

An international response could affect what happens next in Iran. “It’s really important to see what the (global) community does because if [it] doesn’t do anything, doesn’t show how evil and wrong this is, Iran will continue doing [these executions],” Reza explains.

“They’re going to do everything in their power to stay in power, which is a great fear tactic. This is a great way to control people because [they] will be terrified to protest against the government.”

Protestor execution #1

Authorities hung 23-year-old protestor Mohsen Shekari on Thursday, the first known death penalty execution since demonstrations began in September. Ongoing mass protests signify the most significant uprising in Iran since 2019.

“It (Shekari’s execution) sent shockwaves [throughout] the country. People are so shocked that a very young man [was] forced [to confess],” Reza says.

“Even after he was executed, they showed his false confession, [and Shekari had] bruises on his face.”

Today, more than a dozen protestors that received death sentences could go the same way as Shekari. He was charged with “moharebeh,” a Farsi phrase that means “waging war against God.”

“Iran is an Islamic country [with] the rules and laws of the land based on the Quran. It’s also a theocracy where the Supreme Leader hears from Allah Himself and then runs the country based on what he’s heard,” Reza says.

“They’re using Islamic law to execute people.”

These laws also keep foreign powers at bay. While acknowledging the execution was “very troubling,” the U.N.’s top human rights official admitted his powers were limited.

“I can only … call on the authorities to immediately institute a moratorium on the death penalty, to release the ones who were arrested in connection with the protests, and to work towards the abolition of the death penalty,” he told reporters.

We can’t change Iran’s leaders, but we know the God who holds our world in His hands. “It’s a very special time inside of Iran; it is a kairos moment: ‘for such a time as this,’” Reza says.

“Inside of Iran is a perfect storm: social unrest, economic unrest, political unrest, and religious unrest. And God is moving so powerfully through dreams and visions. People are seeing ‘the man in white’ and coming to Christ,” he continues.

“Pray that this continues to happen, that God’s Holy Spirit continues to move mightily inside of Iran.”

*Pseudonym

Though it’s difficult for people not experiencing religious persecution to understand the situation, it’s important to note that Iran’s situation is about to worsen. (Photo, caption courtesy of Global Catalytic Ministries)

The Taliban recently told Afghan judges to enforce their interpretation of sharia law throughout the country.

Fourteen people also suffered floggings in front of a filled soccer stadium. The victims sustained between 21 and 39 lashes and had been accused of crimes like adultery and theft. The group included three women.

Greg Kelly with World Mission says, “We’re naive to think that the Taliban was going to behave any differently than they have for decades and decades. The truth is that the day after the pull-out, the Taliban immediately began behaving the same way they had: persecuting Christians, targeting Christians.”

Persecution

Due to a recent census, The Taliban knew where Christians lived. They immediately started threatening them, demanding they return to Islam. Kelley says, “From September 1, 2021, until today, we have horror stories every single week. If you’re a follower of Jesus, you have two options. One is you serve Jesus in an underground church, totally off the radar. Or you try to leave the country.”

“We know many Christians who have tried to leave Afghanistan into neighboring countries, including Iran.”

In recent months, the Taliban has especially targeted Christian leaders.

World Mission focuses on training leaders for the Afghan Church. Ask God to give these leaders wisdom and boldness to proclaim Jesus. Kelley says, “People who love Jesus in neighboring countries are willing to risk their lives, go into Afghanistan, and proclaim the Gospel. We need to invest in leadership training, and that’s what World Mission is doing.”

World Mission also provides audio Bibles in Dari and Pashto, commonly spoken languages in the country. Learn more here.

(Header photo courtesy of bluuurgh, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

Their strict interpretation will allow public executions, amputations, and flogging for some crimes. The Taliban imposed similarly archaic punishments when they ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.

Nehemiah with FMI says, “I have personally seen the videos where the Taliban is flogging women who came out without a male companion (women are not allowed to leave the house without a male companion), of them shutting down schools, or of them executing people in public. So it’s already happening.”

“This is a very dangerous situation, but I am not surprised by it.”

Sharia law varies from place to place, based on the interpretation. But Nehemiah believes the Afghanistan laws to be some of the most brutal in the world.

After taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban portrayed itself as a more moderate organization. That image has faded as the months have gone by.

Why would the Taliban want to project a harsher image? Nehemiah says it goes back to a local war with the Islamic State. “Many soldiers who were part of the Taliban, they just joined ISIS because they think the Taliban have become liberals. Now, they are returning to the Taliban when they heard they’re going to impose Sharia law.”

How to pray

Small pockets of Christians live secretly in Afghanistan. Ask God to strengthen them.

Nehemiah recently met one of the pastors. He says, “Please pray for him. Pray for his faithfulness and steadfastness so that he can lead his small clan, his small tribe, for the glory of God.”

Header photo courtesy of Voice of America News, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. 

What’s behind such a brutal strategy? Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries (IMM) says, “The threat for them is a threat to power. The threat for them is a threat to religion. They see it as a threat to the way of life. But I think what we see when we look in from the outside is people who are ready for freedom and choice.”

The unrest began in September after a 22-year-old woman died in police custody. She was detained for wearing the hijab improperly.

The protests have all grown from this one incident, Godwin says, focusing on freedom for women especially. “They’ve carefully stayed away from saying too much about religion. But some of that is under the surface. We talked to a ministry that’s doing stuff on the ground there recently, and their surveys and reporting have shown that only 35 percent are still feeling connected to Islam.”

Esther

IMM is currently producing a dramatization of the story of Esther. Godwin hopes to get it into the hands of Iranians soon. “There’s this threat of killing many, many people. And one person, Esther, rises up to stand in the gap. And that was in the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran). Who will stand up at this time? Will someone stand in the gap?”

“Could the world stage actually put pressure on this regime to not kill those 15,000 people?”

Pray many Iranians would find hope in Jesus.

Also, ask God to strengthen Iranian Christians. Godwin says, “We need to pray against the spiritual oppression that’s occurring when the majority of the government votes to kill protesters.”

The header photo shows a vehicle damaged during the protests. (Photo courtesy of Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The fighters also mentioned revenge for the death of a former IS leader in Syria last year.

But Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says the video serves yet another purpose. “We saw this with the ISIS videos early on: it was a recruiting mechanism. ‘Hey, look how powerful we are. We can kill people with impunity. We can put videos of it on the internet and nobody can stop us.’”

“That was a recruiting tool to say, ‘Good Muslims around the world, come and join us.’”

In recent months, ISWAP attacks against Nigerian Christians have increased. It coincides with a conspiracy theory that Nigerian Christians want to subjugate Muslims.

Nigerian government

So far, the Nigerian government has done little to stop the attacks. In some cases, attackers were even spotted wearing military uniforms.

Officials have been saying all the right things, Nettleton says. “’Yes, we’re going to put a stop to this. Yes, we’re committed to stopping these attacks. We’re committed to religious freedom.’ And yet the attacks keep happening.”

Pray the love of Jesus would shine through Nigerian believers. Ask God to protect them. Nettleton says, “They don’t respond with violence, but instead they respond with forgiveness and love. It really puts on display the difference between following Jesus and following radical Islam. People are drawn to Christians.”

Pray also that Nigerian leaders would get serious about addressing the rampant violence.

Header photo courtesy of David Peterson from Pixabay.

Experts say the tests are meant to capture attention and pressure Western governments to lower sanctions on the isolated country.

World Watch List

So why has Afghanistan replaced North Korea in the top slot on Open Doors’ World Watch List? Eric Foley with the Voice of the Martyrs Korea contributes to the World Watch List. He says, “What the survey is measuring is really the volume of information that’s available and that we have about the persecution of that country. Also, it’s measuring the change between last year and this year.”

In 2021, the Taliban overran Afghanistan, setting itself up as the government after the departure of U.S. forces. Many Christians fled. But it’s difficult to compare that situation to North Korea. Foley says, “One of the hundreds of survey questions says, ‘Did Christians in your country experience difficulty in registering for marriage as a Christian?’ Well, in North Korea, that would be completely incomprehensible. Because you wouldn’t experience persecution, you’d experience execution.”

How to pray

Continue praying for North Korean Christians, many of whom don’t personally know another believer. Foley says, “North Korean Christians say to me all the time that even though they have only Christ, He is sufficient. One North Korean Christian said to me, ‘Romans 8:28 works just as well here as it does on the other side of the DMZ.’”

Best estimates place about 100,000 Christians in North Korea. Foley says, “But if you were to ask any one of them about what other Christians were facing in other parts of North Korea (other than their own village or city) they would have absolutely no idea. The complete picture on persecution only can emerge in a place like Afghanistan, where communication is still possible.”

The header image shows the city of Nampo in North Korea. (Raymond K. Cunningham, Jr., CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons) 

In 2017, courts sentenced Bhatti to life in prison. But earlier this month, a judge appealed to a 1991 law prescribing the death penalty for those who blaspheme Muhammad.

A flimsy case

However, Nehemiah with FMI says the case against him doesn’t hold up. “In July 2012, a local Islamic leader filed a complaint in Rawalpindi, saying he had sent messages from an unregistered phone number insulting the Prophet Muhammad’s mother. They tortured him to extract a confession but he insisted on his innocence. No forensic evidence exists for any blasphemy by Bhatti. In fact, every piece of physical and electronic evidence suggests he is innocent.”

Before his arrest, Bhatti led a small ministry, serving those in deep poverty and praying with people in their homes. But these actions caught the attention of local Muslim leaders.

Pray for Bhatti

Bhatti has suffered terrible mistreatment while in prison. Nehemiah says, “Zafar experienced pressure from other Muslim prisoners to convert to Islam and has been beaten several times. On March 31^st, 2013, his food was poisoned, which caused bleeding from the nose and mouth. It left him in a critical condition for days.”

Pray for Bhatti, his wife, and his extended community. Nehemiah says, “Pray he would experience a deep peace and joy that comes from knowing Jesus as well as the courage and power that comes from the Holy Spirit.”

Pray also for FMI partners who are serving across Pakistan. Ask God to strengthen them with His love.

The header photo shows Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the city in which Bhatti was arrested. (Photo courtesy of Idontknow1213, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)