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On Wednesday, possibly referring to a loophole in the deal with the West, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that no new nuclear fuel will be produced, no new components will be installed, but the Islamic Republic will press on with building at a heavy-water reactor despite an agreement with Western powers to halt activity. The uncompleted heavy-water research reactor emerged as one of several crucial issues in negotiations in Geneva when Iran agreed with six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme for six months in return for limited sanctions relief. Experts have said an apparent gap in the text could allow Tehran to build components off-site to install later in the nuclear reactor. It was not immediately clear if Zarif was referring to this or other construction activity. The West believes the reactor would produce plutonium, one of two materials, along with enriched uranium, that make the fissile core of a nuclear bomb.
Pray: that the Lord would reign over Iran’s leaders causing them to move forward with honest and honourable communication and action. (Ps.83:18)
More: http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Iran-Construction-will-continue-at-Arak-nuclear-site-333166
Last month President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad boycotted public duties for eight days after Supreme Leader Khamenei vetoed his sacking of the Intelligence Minister (an ally of the supreme leader). The clash over controlling the intelligence ministry triggered conservative backlashes against the president that show little sign of abating. Under Iranian law, the president has the right to dismiss ministers. But Khamenei is Iran's ultimate wielder of power. Conservative parliamentarians have warned Ahmadinejad he could face impeachment if he refused to obey Khamenei. The votes of at least one third of parliament's 290 lawmakers are required for impeachment of the president. The head of the Revolutionary Guard (who reports directly to the supreme leader) warned, ‘Certain people within the regime have forgotten the values of revolution and seek to misrepresent Islam. People do not follow demons or jinns, and will not tolerate such deviance.’ The conservative parliament has opposed the government frequently in recent months and launched a petition demanding that Ahmadinejad come before parliament to explain his behaviour.
Pray: for a Holy Spirit awakening and spiritual revolution over and throughout Iran. (Ep.5:14)
Nineteen year old Daniel was arrested during a raid on his home by security agents acting on the orders of the revolutionary court and then released on bail. He is accused of blasphemy and spreading Christian propaganda and faces possible further court proceedings. His personal electronic items and books were confiscated in the raid. Daniel had been present at the arrest on 28th February of Hamid and Reyhaneh, who remain detained. Also Maryam and Marzieh were summoned to their court hearing to face charges of propagating Christianity and apostasy, but were told more time was needed to consider their case and they were sent home. Both women are frail after being held for eight months in Evin Prison, notorious for treating women badly. These and similar ordeals are a grave test for the endurance of our Iranian brothers' and sisters' endurance.
Pray: for God to give Daniel, Maryam, Marzieh, Reyhaneh and Hamid a sense of His presence and peace in their minds and hearts; and for officials involved to love mercy and act justly. (Ps.54:7)
More: http://www.givengain.com/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_id=1489&news_id=86114
An Iranian high court has upheld the prison sentences of four Christians for converting to the faith from Islam. The decision means Pastor Farhad Sabokrooh, of the Iranian Assemblies of God, his wife Shahnaz Jayzan, and church workers NaserZaman-Dezfuli and Davoud Alijani have had to return to jail. They were arrested in December 2011 after their church in the southern town of Ahwaz was raided by authorities during Christmas celebrations. They were sentenced to one year in prison for ‘converting to Christianity and propagating against the Islamic regime through evangelism’. They were temporarily released but were summoned to court on 1 May and re-arrested. Christian Solidarity Worldwide has observed a crackdown on Christians since last December. Two other AoG pastors, Farshid Fathi and Saeed Abedini, are being held in Evin prison along with Church of Iran member Alireza Seyyedian and Mostafa Bordbar, who was arrested in Tehran in December.
Pray: for these and the many others who have been jailed for exercising their right to change their religion and follow Christ privately and in communion with others. (in breach of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which Iran is obliged uphold). (Ps.142:6-7)
More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.returned.to.jail.in.iran/32448.htm
‘Evangelical Christians in Iran fear a massive crackdown by security forces around Christmas and Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani may be executed earlier than authorities suggest’, said Firouz Khandjani a council member of the pastor's Iranian Church. Iran's judiciary uses the Christmas time to detain and harass Christians thinking the world may forget the believers as everyone is busy with Christmas shopping. He warned that official suggestions that Pastor Nadarkhani's execution for abandoning Islam would be postponed may be a trap to confuse the international community. Last week observers close to the case said judges were ordered to ‘do nothing’ for one year - however Firouz Khandjani stressed ‘It has become clear that Iran's government may want to execute him earlier and saying he will be held one year more does not necessarily mean an earlier execution isn't possible.’
Pray: for Pastor Youcef to be continually aware of God's presence and protection and for Iranian Christians to know the fullness of Christ’s peace and joy at this time. (Ps.146:7-9)
What can be concluded from increased cyber-attacks on Mohabat News website is its effectiveness in spreading news and influence across the Iranian community. However, it seems that along with development of technology, Christian persecution, especially the persecution of Iranian Christians by the Islamic regime of Iran and Islamists, has adopted a new shape and form, reports Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News. Mohabat News is a key voice of the Farsi-speaking Christian community, launched on December 9, 2010 with the primary objective of disseminating news on Christians all around the world in both Farsi and English. The website, however, was blocked by the Islamic regime's security officials two months after it was launched. Since then many attempts have been undertaken to silence Mhabat News, three of these attempts by the cyber services staff of the Islamic Republic.
Pray: that the voice for Farsi-speaking Christians will not be silenced but be set free. (1Cor.2:13)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue17616.html
On February 10th Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence ordered the Emmanuel Protestant Church and St Peter’s Evangelical Church (the last two officially registered churches holding Friday Farsi-language services in Tehran) to discontinue worship. Friday services in Tehran attracted the city’s converts to Christianity as well as Muslims interested in Christianity as Friday is most Iranians’ day off during the week. Authorities told the churches they can hold the services on Sunday, a working day when most Iranians are not able to attend. For full story see: http://www.christianpost.com/news/churches-forced-to-stop-farsi-worship-in-tehran-iran-69827/ Meanwhile the health of a jailed pastor of one of Iran's largest evangelical house church movements is deteriorating and there were fears Monday he may die. Behnam Irani was jailed for what critics view as ‘trumped up’ charges of ‘crimes against the Islamic state’ and is experiencing intestinal disorder. His family is very concerned because his brother died from intestinal cancer.
Pray: that God will supernaturally intervene to thwart strategies against Christian worship and outreach. (Ps.35:22-24)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11273-jailed-iranian-pastors-health-deteriorating
The blasphemy trial of five members from the Church of Iran has been adjourned due to a lack of evidence. (Thank you Lord) According to a news release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide the trial of Pastor Behrouz Sadegh-Khandjani, Mehdi Furutan, Mohammad Beliad, Parviz Khalaj and Nazly Beliad has been adjourned until April 12th in order to give the prosecution more time to gather evidence. Lawyers representing the five have consistently maintained that there are no legal grounds for the blasphemy charges, and remain optimistic that the case will eventually be dismissed. In an earlier trial at the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, the five were handed a one-year sentence for Crimes against the Islamic Order, which their legal team believes will also be withdrawn on appeal. See also Prayer Alert 11-2011 Pray: fervently at this time for complete absolution for the five Christian men. (Ac.5:25)
The second earthquake to hit Iran in less than a week toppled homes and shops on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border on Tuesday. Iranian TV criticized international media for ‘exaggerating’ the death toll, raising questions about the full extent of the damage in the rugged region that's a front line in Iran's battle against drug traffickers and the Sunni-based militant group, Jundallah. The earthquake damaged area is home to the Baluch people- a remote tribal society. Iran's state-run Press TV initially said at least 40 people were killed on the Iranian side but later removed the figure from its website and news scroll. The website of Tehran Geophysics Center said the quake was the strongest in more than 50 years in one of the world's most seismically active areas. Pakistan reported 34+ killed on their side of the border and 80 were injured. Up to 1,000 mud homes were damaged, Pakistan Television added.
Pray: for all who were affected by the earthquakes especially those living in desolate hills and valleys. Pray also for those attempting rescue operations in a complicated emergency situation. (Ps.60:1-2)
More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/04/16/earthquake-iran-pakistan/2087047/
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, influential figures of the Islamic regime, especially Ayatollahs affiliated with the regime, have frequently tried to provoke government and security authorities to take action against Christians by making negative comments. According to a story by the Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat News, some Ayatollahs have made anti-Christian remarks because one of the greatest concerns of the Islamic clerics in Iran is the growth of Christianity in the county. Mohabat News said by so doing the Ayatollahs hope to decrease the growth of both Christianity and house churches in Iran. According to Mohabat News, in a statement, Ayatollah Noor-Allah Tabarsi, the Friday Prayer Imam in Sari, defamed Christianity and called today’s Christians ‘a shame for Christianity.’ Mohabat News said that Tabarsi, who is also the Supreme Leader's representative in Mazandaran province, claimed that all the corruption in the West was due to the inappropriate application of Christianity.
Pray: for Christians in Iran that they would be protected against the extremes of the Islamic regime.
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13010128.htm