‘Iran-US chamber of commerce will be launched in less than one month,’ Abolfazl Hejazi, a member of Iran's Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, told the English-language Iran Daily. In the wake of the recent historic accord between Tehran and major powers on Iran's controversial nuclear programme, Hejazi also said his country was ready to start direct flights to the United States. After the 1979 revolution in Iran, Washington severed diplomatic relations with Tehran following the seizure of its embassy in Tehran, during which Islamist students held 52 US diplomats hostage for 444 days. According to Hejazi, the project which he said had already been registered in the United States would allow the two countries to work towards restoring ties, Iran’s government has authorized the private sector to launch joint activities for Iran to establish direct flights to the United States.

Pray: these negotiations and arrangements would enable mission agencies and the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living in the US to freely travel in and out of Iran. (2Ch.15:5)

More: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2013/11/29/6376

Iran has shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane over its Fordu nuclear site by the Revolutionary Guards’ air defence units, a state-run website reported Wednesday, a day after it confirmed it was installing a new generation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges. The Fordu site was secretly built inside a mountain bunker near the holy city of Qom and was acknowledged by Iran after Western intelligence identified it in 2009. Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed Iran was installing two more advanced models of the centrifuges used to refine uranium for large-scale testing at a research site. In January Iran announced it had shot down two unmanned western reconnaissance drone aircraft in the Gulf. Iran is at odds with major powers over its nuclear work. The United States and Israel, Iran's arch foes, have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row.

Pray: for Almighty God to bring Iran into his purposes and heritage amongst the nations. (Is.32:16 & Is.45:22)

More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/20/us-iran-usa-plane-idUSTRE76J1WP20110720

On 3rd December we requested further prayer for pastor Yousef. Recall that in mid-December he was ordered to report to prison, initially on a daily basis, but when he reported on Christmas Day he was detained. (See last week's PA) We are pleased to report that he was released from Lakan prison on 7th January. We regret to report that two other members from the same church network, Behzad and Mohammed-Reza, were arrested in raids on their homes in Rasht on 31st December. They are currently in a Ministry of Intelligence and Security detention facility and are expected to be transferred to Lakan prison shortly facing charges of action against national security, and Behzad is also charged with insulting Islamic sanctities. No trial date has been set. Behzad is single, whilst Mohammad-Reza has a wife and two daughters.

Pray: that Yousef's liberty will be maintained and his wife, their sons. That Behzad and Mohammed-Reza will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus each day. May officials involved learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him. (2Cor.3:17)

More: http://global.christianpost.com/news/pastor-yousef-nadarkhani-released-from-prison-while-lawyer-remains-behind-bars-87830/

Esfahan: Iranian security authorities had promised to release Enayat Jafari in one week if the media were not informed about this incident! However although the media promised, two weeks have now passed and still no precise information is available on this Christian detainee's situation. According to reporters of Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News, this is the first time that his name is being published as a detainee who was recently arrested in Esfahanon 22 February, 2012, at 7:00 a.m. Intelligence officers of Esfahan introduced themselves as agents of the Electricity Company. As the door was opened they invaded Mr Jafari’s home and arrested him. As usual they carefully searched his entire house, taking many of his personal belongings including his laptop, phone cards, books, CDs and even children's cartoons.

Pray: for the peace of God for Mr Jafari, his wife and three-year-old son, pray also for His protection and swift release. (Jer.30:16-17)

More: http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4122:unknown-condition-of-another-christian-detainee-enayat-jafari-in-esfahan&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279

Iranian students stormed the UK embassy in Tehran chanting ‘Down with Britain, down with America, down with Israel’ and ‘Students are awake and hate Britain,’ reflecting official anger at Britain's decision to cut all relations with Iran's financial sector as part of new sanctions in co-ordination with the US and Canada. Protesters petrol-bombed the embassy, brought down the flag and destroyed classified documents. Foreign secretary William Hague said, ‘all staff and diplomats of the embassy are accounted for’ adding ‘Iran faces ‘serious consequences,’ calling the storming a grave breach of the Vienna Convention on diplomats' rights. On Wednesday an outraged British Foreign & Commonwealth Office updated its travel advice for British nationals in Iran, advising British citizens to ‘stay indoors, keep a low profile and await further advice.’ Britain is also evacuating its diplomatic staff from Tehran.

Pray: for God to hide and protect Christian workers in Iran, also for Him to intervene where visas and work/study permits are needed for His work to continue to grow. (Mk.10:28-30)

More: http://rt.com/news/iranian-students-occupy-uk-embassy-481/

Leila Mohammadi a Christian convert from Islam was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment by a revolutionary court in Iran after spending 5 months in the infamous Evin prison, according to Iranian news services. She was first arrested in July 2011 when police raided her home, east of Tehran, and confiscated her belongings. She was released from 74 days solitary confinement on $150,000 bail. At her trial on 18 January she was charged with ‘collaboration with foreign-dependent groups, broad anti-Islamic propaganda, deceiving citizens by formation of what is called a house church, insulting sacred figures and action against national security.’ However she was acquitted of ‘collaboration with foreign dependent groups’ because the judge ruled that she had done that unintentionally. Almost all activity related to Christianity in the country is illegal. Last year 200+ Christians were arrested and detained in Iran. Pray for the release and protection of all Iranian Christians in prison and pray particularly for Leila’s release.

Pray: that God will strengthen Leila in this difficult time, enabling her to stand firm in her faith. (Ps.3:8)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12010160.htm

As pressure increases on Christian communities three Christian converts Farshid Modares-Aval, Mohammad-Reza Pirri and Yashar Farzin-No were arrested on July 20 when authorities searched their homes and seized a number of their personal belongings. They are in Tabriz prison. Security and judicial authorities have not provided any reason for their arrest or given any information regarding their health. Usually when families of detainees go to the authorities about the plight of loved ones they hear promises for early release if they keep silent and don’t publicize the case. Eventually when nothing happens families tell their stories to the media. According to reports received the three men have been beaten during interrogation. Mohammad-Reza Pirri’s brutal beating put him in the prison hospital for four days. Iranian law enforcement has always tried to relate house churches to foreign governments as political groups intending to overthrow the Islamic regime.

Pray: for God to hold these men, their families and all illegally held detainees in His hands, ask Him to strengthen and encourage them as they experience suppression and persecution. (Ps.32:7-8)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13080054.htm

In recent months a campaign of threats and opposition against any faith contrary to Shiite, especially the Christian faith, has been under way by Shiite clerics and all media outlets connected to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Christian News Agency (MohabatNews) reported a meeting of cleric leaders speaking out against ‘the ever-increasing activities of ‘false Christians’ (Protestant and born-again Christians!), and ‘false Christianity’. Adding, ‘the Pope is actively atempting to spread Christianity inside Iran and such actions will result in exposing the Catholic Church for issues that would be very costly to the church’.  Iran has the largest population of non-Christians in the 10/40 window. Violence and crime is rising. Iran has the highest drug per capita in the world with people turning to drugs and prostitution to escape pain and hopeless situations. But, praise God! Iranians are hungry for truth. There is an unprecedented openness to the gospel message (see praise item below)

Pray: protection for all Christian mission to Iranians so that many more will find hope, peace, and redemption through Christ. (Lk.24:47)

More: http://www.iranaliveministries.org/

The pastor of a church in Esfahan, and nine imprisoned Christians from the city were freed on April 30 and May 1, pending their recall at a future date. According to the Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN), their family had to put up a lot of money as a guarantee. In addition, new charges were filed against the accused. According to FCNN, quoting Christian sources in Esfahan, Pastor Hekmat Salimi and nine others were freed after their families paid 50,000 US$ for Salimi, Meysam Hojati and Shahnaz Zarifi, and 30,000 US$ for others. These ‘security payments’ are rarely returned, and then only after very long and protracted negotiations. In addition, FCNN said, bribes are often demanded by the same Islamic Justice ministry officials who set the initial terms. FCNN said the Islamic Republic is ‘tightening its oppressive grip’ against the Christian community in Isfahan.

Pray: that those who have received their freedom pending recall would be fully released soon. (2Cor.3:17)

More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=39609&PN=1&TPN=1