by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

TEHRAN (Worthy News) – Iran’s Islamic rulers have jailed more Christians amid a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that a network of Iranian doctors says has killed up to 18,000 people.

Medical sources reported that more than 330,000 people were injured, with security forces even targeting hospitals treating wounded demonstrators. The claimed death toll far exceeds the roughly 3,100 deaths previously verified by activist groups.

Figures compiled from eight major hospitals and 16 emergency departments indicate between 16,500 and 18,000 people were killed, with most victims believed to be under 30.

The revelations come as Christians sentenced to prison for their faith were ordered to begin serving terms in mid-December, according to Article 18, an advocacy group monitoring religious freedom in Iran.

CHRISTIAN SENTENCES ENFORCED AMID DEADLY CRACKDOWN

Among them is Nayereh Arjaneh, who began serving a five-year sentence in Semnan Prison on Dec. 23 after being convicted of “promoting deviant propaganda” — a charge linked to practicing Christianity, Article 18 said.

Arjaneh was arrested with her husband, Qasem Esmaili, at their home in Garmsar in July 2025 and was later convicted by the Islamic Revolutionary Court. Although she received a combined 10-year sentence, Iranian law imposes only the maximum term, five years.

Article 18 said Arjaneh was also fined, sentenced to internal exile in Kerman Province, banned from travel for two years, and later handed an additional five-year sentence for allegedly supporting “Zionist Christianity.” She was acquitted of a charge of insulting religious sanctities.

Her husband was sentenced to 3.6 years in prison, but the term has not yet been enforced due to his ongoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Arjaneh previously received a suspended sentence in 2022 and was briefly detained again in October 2025, when her bail was raised to more than $15,000. During detention, she was threatened with execution, Article 18 reported.

BROTHERS AND OTHER CONVERTS IMPRISONED

In Isfahan’s Dastgerd Prison, brothers Mahmoud and Mansour Mardani-Kharaji began serving four-year sentences on Dec. 16 and 20 after being arrested at a Christmas gathering four years ago, Article 18 said.

Both men also face two years of internal exile after release, five-year bans on group membership, and fines of about $1,500 each. They were convicted under amended Article 500, which criminalizes “deviant propaganda activities contrary to Islam.”

Another Christian convert, Aida Najaflou, was temporarily released from Tehran’s Evin Prison on December 21 after fracturing her spine in a fall from a bunk bed. Article 18 said she faces a 17-year sentence — with 10 years enforceable — pending appeal.

Najaflou’s case was heard by Tehran Revolutionary Court Judge Abolqasem Salavati, along with several other Christians, on charges including acting against national security and propaganda against the system. Article 18 stated that the convictions stem solely from peaceful Christian activities, such as house churches and prayer meetings.

IRAN REMAINS AMONG WORST FOR CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION

Christian converts in Iran are barred from building churches or worship centers, forcing many to meet secretly or travel abroad for religious instruction, the group noted.

Despite the crackdown, Iran ranks ninth on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians reportedly face the most severe persecution.

The report added that, even under intense pressure, the Christian church in Iran continues to grow.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

Latest Stories from Worthy News