Persecution.Org

On Jan. 8, millions of citizens took to the streets at about 4,000 different locations across Iran to protest the Islamic regime, resulting in the largest protest and the most violent government crackdown since protests began on Dec. 28.

Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) reported that more than 7,000 protestors died between Jan. 8 and 9. Eyewitnesses recalled that officers pursued people while firing weapons, killing them or leaving them with severe injuries. 

Political scientist Mohammad Ghaedi explained that, with such a massive outbreak of unrest, this is the only way the regime could regain control over the people.

“They have to respond in a way that makes the nation unwilling to protest again,” he said. “That explains the brutality of the repression.”

Among those killed were several Christians, either members of ethnic churches or recent converts. Recently, two more Christians were identified, raising the number of confirmed Christians killed to 19.

35-year-old Nader Mohammadi and 51-year-old Zahra Arjomandi were shot in protests happening about 1,000 miles from each other.

During the protests, Arjomandi was separated from her son, who later found her and took her to the hospital, where she died in his arms. She left behind two children. Security officers kept her body for six days and eventually released it after banning a memorial service from taking place.

Mohammadi left behind three children under 5. His body was discovered on Jan. 11 in a morgue by relatives who could barely recognize him due to his severe injuries.

Article18 released a report detailing the increased persecution of Christians in Iran in 2025. They started their report by addressing the atrocities of the Iranian protests.

“The response to those protests has been horrifying, with reports of many thousands killed, including several Christians, and every Iranian — regardless of their religious background — affected,” the report said. “The road ahead for Iran appears far from clear, but as we release this latest annual report of rights violations committed against Christians in 2025, we stand with the people of Iran in their call for leaders who will act on their behalf, rather than repress them.”

Story by Bella Agnello