Iranian pastor: 'The people are not backing down'

Lydia Houghton  |  World
Date posted:  16 Jan 2026
Share Add       
Iranian pastor: 'The people are not backing down'

Pooyan Mehrshahi

Iranian evangelical pastor Pooyan Mehrshahi says the people of Iran are not backing down, despite thousands having been killed and tens of thousands reported to have been arrested amid the country's protests against the government.

In an update earlier this week, en shared statistics from the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) stating that 490 protesters and 48 security personnel had died in Iran in recent days, with 10,600 reported arrests.

But according to Mehrshahi, that arrest figure has now risen to 18,000 and the death toll is reported to be in the thousands. He details widespread stories of torture, forced confessions, and secret detentions.

Share
< Previous article| World| Next article >
Read more articles on:   Iran
Read more articles by Lydia Houghton >>
Features
So, Gavin Calver, how will the EA and a UK Gospel Coalition co-operate?

So, Gavin Calver, how will the EA and a UK Gospel Coalition co-operate?

As the Evangelical Alliance (EA) marks 180 years since it was established, en journalist Lydia Houghton interviews its CEO, …

World
Gafcon unveils new council and leader

Gafcon unveils new council and leader

Archbishop Laurent Mbanda has been "unanimously" elected as Chairman of the - newly created, freshly-named - Global Anglican Council (GAC). …

New here?

Register and get three free articles each month!

Register

Subscribe

Enjoy our monthly paper and full online access from just £18/year

Find out more