Iran bans Christian TV broadcasters, threatens prosecution

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence recently classified several Persian-language Christian satellite TV broadcasters as hostile organizations, according to a government news release published on Tabnak, a news website. The Christian broadcasters were banned alongside foreign, opposition media sources such as Voice of America, BBC Persian, and Israeli outlets.

Iranian authorities said anyone cooperating with such organizations could face charges under the country’s recently expanded espionage laws. At least five Christians already faced prosecution for espionage charges related to the change, according to Open Doors, an organization tracking persecution of Christians. The now-banned TV channels were previously one of the only ways Iranian Christians could access Christian messages, the organization said.

How many Christians live in Iran? While estimates vary widely, official Iranian government figures put the number at roughly 118,000, according to the U.S. State Department. Persecution of Christians has worsened in Iran since its conflicts with Israel and the United States began, as converts are often accused of sympathizing with the West, according to Open Doors.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report for the latest on the U.S.-Iran war.