Iran

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iran has freed evangelical pastor Farshid Fathi after he spent five years in prison for his faith, fellow Christian workers said early Tuesday, December 22. "We are overjoyed and celebrating!" about Monday's release, said David Yeghnazar, executive director of Iranian mission group Elam Ministries.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iran released four Christian prisoners but concerns remained Friday, December 11, about Christian pastor Fardhid Fathi who was to have been freed after five years behind bars, Christian aid workers told BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)— A member of one of Iran’s largest evangelical house church movements has been released from prison, 14 months earlier than expected, but many other believers remain behind bars, Iranian and other activists told BosNewsLife.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN (BosNewsLife)-- At least eight people remained missing Saturday, August 15, after Iranian security forces raided a gathering of new Christian converts in the city of Karaj as part of a wider crackdown on house churches in Iran, well-informed Christians told BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- An Iranian Christian songwriter and member of the evangelical Church of Iran has been released from prison after serving three years, six months and ten days in prison, friends said. Alireza Seyyedian was released from Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, late last month but Christians only confirmed his release this week.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- An Iraqi Franciscan priest abducted by Islamic militants in northwest Syria has been released, but Christian leaders cautioned that persecution of minority groups continues in the war-torn region.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent TEHRAN/VIENNA (BosNewsLife)- A jailed Iranian evangelical pastor has been told he will be released two years earlier than expected after international pressure, though fellow Christians expressed doubts whether Iran would keep the promise when wrapping up talks on a nuclear deal with the United States and other powers, BosNewsLife learned.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)--Iranian-born American pastor Saeed Abedini is recovering of injuries after he was "viciously beaten" in prison where he is serving an eight year sentenced on charges linked to evangelism and planting churches in Iran, several sources said.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Iran has sentenced nearly 20 people, including a well-known evangelical pastor, to more than 24 years in jail for converting to Christianity, evangelism and other Christian activities, several sources told BosNewsLife.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service TEHRAN, IRAN (BosNewsLife)-- Missionaries say they have been able to distribute more than 18,000 Persian New Testaments ahead of Easter in Iran despite reports of persecution.