Christians
Iran’s crackdown on christians undermines Trump’s emphasis on religious freedom
FDD (23.02.2026) – When the Tehran regime falters abroad, Iran’s religious minorities pay the price at home.
A recently published report by Christian advocacy groups, including Article 18, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and Middle East Concern, documents intensified anti-Christian repression in 2025. The report found that arrests on religion-related charges nearly doubled compared to 2024, while more than twice as many Christians served prison, exile, or forced-labor sentences, as courts imposed harsher penalties overall.
Christian convert identified among murdered protesters in Isfahan
Article 18 (20.01.2026) A 42-year-old Christian convert, husband and father of three girls has been confirmed among the many thousands of protesters killed in recent days.
Mohsen Rashidi was shot from behind while attempting to recover the body of a close friend killed during a demonstration in Baharestan, Isfahan province, on 9 January, and died after being prevented from entering the local hospital.
The following account was provided to Article18 by his sister-in-law, Solmaz, who lives in Austria:
“At one of the gatherings in Baharestan his close friend, Shahram Maghsoudlou—a two-time national powerlifting champion from Izeh—was targeted by security forces’ machine-gun and shot in the chest.
‘Spacegoating’ of Christians the focus of 2026 annual report
Article 18 (19.02.2026) – The “scapegoating” of Christians, especially after the 12-day war with Israel, is the focus of the 2026 joint annual report on “Rights Violations Against Christians in Iran”, published today by Article18 in partnership with Open Doors, CSW and Middle East Concern.
The report, “Scapegoats”, is published on the anniversary of the murder of Rev Arastoo Sayyah, the first Christian killed for his faith under the Islamic Republic.
The report begins by referring to the protests that erupted at the end of 2025, “calling for an end to the Islamic Republic’s leadership of the country”.
Two more Christians confirmed among dead
Article 18 (09.02.2026) – Two more Christian converts are confirmed to have been among those killed by the Islamic Republic’s security forces in its brutal response to last month’s mass demonstrations.
Nader Mohammadi, 35, and Zahra Arjomandi, 51, were both shot dead on 8 January in separate protests 1,000 miles apart.
Nader, who leaves behind three young children aged five and under, was killed in Babol in the far north, while Zahra, who was a mother of two, died in her son’s arms on the Persian Gulf island of Qeshm, in the far south.
Baha’is
Fariba Kamalabadi released from Evin prison
Iran Press Watch (22.02.2026) – Today, Fariba Kamalabadi, a former member of the informal leadership group of the Baha’i community in Iran known as the “Yaran Iran,” was released from Evin Prison.
According to HRANA, the news outlet of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI), Fariba Kamalabadi, a Baha’i citizen, has been released from Evin Prison.
Based on information received by HRANA, her early release took place today following the issuance of an “amnesty” directive. Ms. Kamalabadi had previously been sentenced on November 21, 2022, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to ten years in prison.
Isfahan: Parva Behdad, a Baha’i Citizen, sent to prison to serve sentence
Iran Press Watch (22.02.2026) – Parva Behdad, a Baha’i citizen residing in Isfahan, was transferred today to Dowlatabad Prison in the city to begin serving her prison sentence.
According to HRANA, the news outlet of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI), Parva Behdad has been sent to prison.
Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Behdad was transferred on Saturday, February 7, 2026, to Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan to serve her three-year sentence. She had previously been summoned to the Enforcement of Sentences Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan after receiving official notice to begin serving her sentence.
Shakila Ghasemi, a Baha’i citizen, arrested in Kerman
Iran Press Watch (20.02.2026) – Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Ghasemi was arrested today by security forces. Before her arrest, her residence was searched. During the search, all electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops belonging to her as well as her parents, were confiscated by agents.
As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest, her place of detention, or the charges brought against Ms. Ghasemi.
Shakila Ghasemi is a 26-year-old Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman.
Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i citizen, arrested
Iran Press Watch (20.02.2026) – Today, Hamed Mehrabkhani, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qazvin, was arrested by security forces at his sister’s home in Tabriz and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Mehrabkhani was arrested today, Wednesday, February 18, by security forces at his sister’s home in Tabriz. A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that during the arrest, officers searched the home of his sister, Jaleh (Zhaleh) Mehrabkhani. During the search, several electronic devices belonging to her and her family were seized, including the mobile phones and laptop of his sister and her husband, Bahman Shokouhi.
As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Mr. Mehrabkhani’s arrest or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.
Baha’i citizen Pouyan Gholami arrested by Security forces
Iran Press Watch (20.02.2026) – Pouyan Gholami, a Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, was arrested today by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.
The arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place yesterday February 10, at his workplace. During the arrest, security agents also searched his home.
As of now, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.
Security forces search homes of 11 Baha’i citizens in Borujerd and Aligudarz, seal 5 businesses
Iran Press Watch- (20.02.2026) – On Monday, security agents searched the homes of six Baha’i citizens in Borujerd and sealed the workplaces of three of them. At the same time, the homes of five Baha’i citizens in Aligudarz were searched, and the workplaces of two individuals were sealed. During the searches, some religious items and personal belongings, including mobile phones and identity documents, were confiscated.
Based on information received by HRANA, on Monday, February 2, 2026, the family homes of six Baha’i citizens in Borujerd County were searched, and the businesses of three of them were sealed.
Simultaneously, the family homes of five Baha’i citizens in Aligudarz were searched by agents of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, and the workplace of one of them was sealed. In addition, a commercial unit belonging to a non-Baha’i citizen, where one of the Baha’i individuals was employed, was also sealed in Aligudarz.
Pedram Ahmadi arrested following raid of home of his father, Tahmoures Ahmadi
BIC (10.02.2023) – CHAHARMAHAL AND BAKHTIARI PROVINCE: On Monday, 9 February 2026, security forces conducted a violent raid at the home of Mr. Tahmoures Ahmadi, a Bahá’í resident of Shahrekord, by climbing over the wall and breaking down the entrance door.
They carried out a thorough search of the premises, confiscating large quantities of personal property including gold, silver, books, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. In addition, the agents destroyed the home’s safe.
During this raid, Pedram Ahmadi, Mr. Ahmadi’s son, who had arrived at his father’s home after learning of the incident, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unknown location.
After spending a night in detention, Mr. Pedram Ahmadi was brought blindfolded to his own residence the next morning for a search and then returned to the detention facility.
Mr. Pedram Ahmadi was released on 10 February 2026.
Continued detention of Bahá’í photographer Navid Zarrehbin Irani in Mashhad
Khorasan Razavi Province: It was learned on 10 February 2026 that Navid Zarrehbin Irani, a well-known Bahá’í photographer residing in Mashhad, was arrested by armed Ministry of Intelligence agents at his private residence on Friday, 16 January 2026, and transferred to the detention facility of Mashhad’s Intelligence Directorate.
Mr. Zarrehbin, who has previously spoken of his deep attachment to his country— “The feeling I have toward Iran: this is my home, my homeland, and I love it”—has been held in detention since his arrest. His family has received no information regarding his legal case or the conditions of his detention, raising serious concerns about his health and safety.
Mr. Zarrehbin remains in the interrogation stage and has not been granted access to an attorney. He has only been allowed two very brief phone calls, each lasting
less than one minute, which have heightened his relatives’ anxiety.
More than four weeks after his detention, he continues to be held in the intelligence facility and has not been transferred to prison. According to officials handling his case, he has been charged with “actions against national security”, but his family is unaware of any further details regarding his case.
