Christians are praying for a latest and higher future for Iran, one that features the protection of spiritual freedom, following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Open Doors said it was praying for an end to oppression and the start of “a latest season of freedom, especially religious freedom” that will “open a door for the explosion of the gospel of Jesus across the land”.
An Open Doors expert on Iran said the death of Khamenei “marks a major and sobering moment in Iran’s history”.
“As an Iranian Christian, I cannot ignore that under his leadership the Church in Iran lived for a long time under intense pressure, facing restrictions, surveillance, arrests, and the constant weight of uncertainty,” they said.
“Many faithful believers endured suffering simply for following Christ. Yet even in hardship, the Church has remained resilient, prayerful, and deeply rooted in hope. This moment just isn’t about revenge or triumph, but about the potential of a unique future. One where freedom of conscience, dignity, and justice are prolonged to all Iranians, no matter faith or background.”
They added, “My prayer is that this turning point will open the way in which for peace, reconciliation, and real freedom for our nation.”
An Iranian Christian convert who fled Iran due to persecution said she was “hopeful that we’d have the option to return to our homeland”.
“May God bring peace and protect the entire middle east through this time of change for Iran,” she said.
US President Donald Trump confirmed in a Truth Social post on Saturday that Khamenei had been killed within the US-Israeli strikes. This followed earlier confirmation from a senior Israeli official of the deaths of 40 senior Iranian leaders.
The strikes followed the recent massacre of 1000’s of protesters, during which 19 Christians were reported among the many dead.
Trump said: “Khamenei, probably the most evil people in History, is dead. This just isn’t only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and people people from many Countries throughout the World, which were killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.
“He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the opposite leaders which were killed together with him, could do.
“This is the only best likelihood for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” he said. “Hopefully, the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and Police will peacefully merge with the Iranian Patriots.”
Article 18, a UK-based organisation advocating for human rights and non secular freedom in Iran, said Khamenei’s name was “related to bloodshed at home and terrorism abroad” and “the suppression of spiritual minorities and dissidents”.
Under Khamenei, Christians were often arrested and imprisoned, with the situation worsening after protests in 2009. In response, the Iranian regime increasingly cracked down on what it called “the enemies of Islam” which it claimed were “spreading lawlessness, promoting false mysticism, promoting Baha’ism, and expanding house-churches”.
“Following this hate speech, human rights organisations reported increased pressure on religious minorities, including Christians—especially converts,” said Article 18.
“The ensuing wave of arrests, heavy prison sentences, pressure to return to Islam, and the closure of Christian gathering spaces were all defined throughout the same security perspective that saw ‘house-churches’ not as a spiritual phenomenon but because the construct of an external enemy.”
A report published just this month by Article 18 in partnership with Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Middle East Concern warned that the persecution of Christians had intensified within the last 12 months and that Christians were increasingly becoming “scapegoats”. In 2025, the variety of Christians arrested for his or her religious beliefs or activities nearly doubling from 139 to 254, while those imprisoned, exiled or subjected to forced labour rose from 25 to 57.
Despite this, Open Doors said the Church in Iran had consistently grown.
A spokesman for Open Doors within the Middle East, speaking before news of the death of Khamenei, said he was praying for a greater future for Iran: “I don’t have fun war, nor do I take flippantly the suffering it brings to extraordinary families — in Iran, in Israel, and across the region. Every life is precious before God.
“Yet as an Iranian, I also cannot ignore the deep eager for freedom that has lived within the hearts of our people for generations. If this painful moment becomes a turning point toward justice and true liberty, then my prayer is that it leads to not greater destruction, but to the restoration of dignity, hope, and peace.
“As followers of Christ, we pray for the protection of the innocent, for restraint amongst leaders, and for a future where Iran and the region may know freedom without fear. May God bring light out of darkness and peace out of turmoil.”
The Gospel Coalition is asking Christians to wish for “peace and a fast resolution of conflict” in addition to “opportunities for Christians to point out non-believers that we’re in search of a city that’s to return, where there may be neither war nor death”. It has also asked that Christians pray for “open doors into Iran for the gospel, religious freedom for the people of Iran, and an awakening of spiritual concern and receptivity for the Persian people”.
Christians around the globe have been weighing in on the US military intervention. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, said the motion taken by the US was “obligatory and justified” but cautioned that now was a time for prayer, not celebration.
“The Iranian Islamic regime posed a serious threat to Israel and other peace-seeking nations. For believers, nonetheless, this just isn’t a moment for celebration but for intercession. It is a time to bend the knee, not pump the fist,” he said.
“We must pray for our leaders and for the people of Iran. Our leaders are well aware of the geopolitical and military realities. Yet Scripture reminds us there are deeper forces at work (Daniel 10). Behind visible conflicts often lie spiritual strongholds that shape events in ways not immediately seen.
“I feel President Trump made the fitting decision. Still, there may be more unfolding than what appears on the surface. The days ahead could also be complex and demanding.
“This is where the Church has a definite and indispensable role — to face in prayer, to hunt God’s wisdom and protection, and to interact the battle within the heavenlies with spiritual discernment and steadfast faith.”
The Australian Christian Lobby asked Christians to wish that Iran would flourish under latest leadership.
“Iran stands at a pivotal moment. The US has taken decisive motion to remove the specter of Iran’s nuclear capability and to dismantle its evil Islamic regime,” it said.
“For a long time, the Supreme Leader and senior military authorities have overseen grave human rights abuses, including heavy persecution against Christians. An estimated 99% of Christians in Iran are converts from Islam — something the regime labels “apostasy,” a charge that may carry the death penalty.
“Iranians are taking to the streets in Australia, celebrating an end to a repressive regime that subjugated women, violently suppressed opposition, and restricted freedom.
“Let us proceed to wish for the entire dismantling of tyranny, and for the security, security, freedom, and flourishing of the Iranian people.”
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