Iran: ‘Streets smell of blood’

Christians in Iran continue to meet to grieve and pray amidst ongoing unrest and state brutality, with one person on the ground revealing that “the streets smell of blood”.

Early 2026 has seen Iran plagued by mass demonstrations, fuelled by economic hardship, against the nation’s brutal Islamic regime, led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Despite a state-imposed internet blackout in place across the nation, messages from believers to Elam Ministries team members have slipped through the cracks, partially revealing the shocking scale of state aggression, as believers suffer alongside the rest of the population.

Uncertainty remains concerning how many have been murdered as part of the state’s crackdown, but Elam’s Chrissy Parkes told en that the number is in the tens of thousands, with some estimates sitting at 36,500 by early February.

She revealed that “every Iranian knows someone killed or seriously wounded or missing,” including members of Elam’s team, and that “things are far worse on the ground than Western media is able to report.”

Asked how events have affected Christians, Parkes disclosed that while church members are numbered among those killed in protests, the church’s determination to meet together remains resolute and declarations that Jesus is Iran’s only hope are being made with “greater clarity”.

She said: “We’re hearing multiple reports of people coming to faith during this season, even in the midst of hardship. Many believers sense that there will be even more openness among ordinary Iranians to the gospel because the love and grace of Christ will shine even brighter in the face of the darkness and evil that has been brutally displayed.

“Despite fear and risk, some believers are choosing to prioritise meeting together to grieve and pray. Just a few nights ago, a house church in one city gathered to pray throughout the night after one of their members was killed in an unspeakable act of violence by security forces.”

Asked what Elam are doing to help Christians amidst all that is going on, Parkes said that Elam believes “there has never been a more critical moment” to strengthen the Iranian church, and that its team has resolved to “press ahead with our mission with renewed momentum”.

She continued: “We will continue to train leaders to shepherd the church through this crisis, to equip believers with the Word of God and discipleship resources that root them deeply in Christ, and to send the gospel through trained leaders, workers, and media.

“While some aspects of our ministry are being adapted to meet the demands of this new season, our mission and vision remain unchanged. Whether Iran opens politically or not, we will press on, convinced that the love, healing, and hope of Christ are what Iran needs most.”