As an Iranian, my heart aches writing this. My people in Iran have suffered 47 years of oppression under the tyranny of the Islamic Regime. They have been silenced, imprisoned, raped, tortured, terrorized, and executed in such brutal ways you cannot even fathom. And now, Iran faces a genocide as the government kills its own people, with countless innocent civilians slaughtered in the streets simply for protesting their freedom.
What’s happening in Iran right now is the defining political & humanitarian moment of the 21st century. But to understand what is happening today, we must start from the beginning.
Please note that this isn’t easy to read. There will be upsetting material. However, I will not show videos as they are too traumatizing for some. This article reflects my personal statements, and is only one voice out of many representing the cries of the Iranian people.
Before 1979, the country of Iran (formerly known as Persia) was led by a hereditary monarch which they called the Shah (meaning “king” in Persian). Under the absolute rule of Shah Mohammad Reza of the Pahlavi dynasty, the Iranians lived a free life, with westernization being heavily adopted. Women received higher education, alcohol was legal, industrialization was booming because of Iran’s access to oil, and so much more.
But not everyone was happy. The Shah’s authoritarian reign over his people meant that he could make whatever decisions he wanted, and that angered many citizens. This was further intensified by the Shah’s close ties with the US and UK.
What is often called the Islamic Revolution was actually an Islamic coup d'état supported by Islamist factions, leftist groups, and received backing from foreign countries. The Shah was forced into exile as a result, and the first Ayatollah assumed power as Iran’s Supreme Leader.
There have been two Supreme Leaders since 1979: Ruhollah Khomeini who ruled for a decade before passing, and Ali Hosseini Khamenei who has ruled to this day. Every horror that you have seen come out of Iran is a result of theirs' or their compatriots’ work.
For more than 4 decades, the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has a “no tolerance” policy in everything that they do. Here are a few examples:
The death penalty is used very often. Public executions are common to instill fear in the Iranian people.
Countless innocent Iranians of all age demographics are killed by military intervention for participating in any type of protests.
Children are brainwashed, forced to memorize the Qur’an and to remove critical thinking. The chant “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” is taught at a young age, and during times of war, children are also militarized.
Media censorship is pervasive, with journalists imprisoned, nationwide internet shutdowns enforced, Islamic propaganda pushed, and Western-influenced culture restricted.
The so-called “morality police” punish those who defy Islamic law, including through beatings, rape, and torture that have led to the deaths of women for disobedience.
Iran’s juvenile justice system is appalling. Children under 18 can be executed for alleged crimes, often based on confessions coerced through torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and sham trials in which they are denied legal counsel.
And that was only BEFORE. What is happening in Iran now is so monstrous, directors wouldn’t put it in horror films. You are witnessing one massive concentration camp, with the Ayatollah personifying Hitler in the 21st century, and the unarmed innocent Iranian civilians facing persecution like the Jews did in the Holocaust.
In 48 hours, an estimated 12,000 Iranians were slaughtered. The total count from an Immortal Guard (established by the exiled Shah) on the inside mentioned above 30,000 deaths. Today, the true number could exceed 50,000. With countless body bags lacking identification, no official tally exists. Every day, hundreds if not thousands of Iranians continue to be killed for their desire to be free.
Here is a list of the disgusting reality happening in Iran:
Snipers from the IRGC shoot at civilians from the top of buildings.
The IRGC intercepts ambulances and enters hospitals, shooting wounded civilians to prevent treatment.
Hundreds of people that were killed were mutilated to the point where they were unrecognizable.
The Islamic Regime is using chemical weapons that causes paralysis, and contains toxic substances that are lethal.
To get a body back, the IRGC forces families to pay money and provide a box of sweets + a thank you note for murdering their loved one.
Afghan, Arab, and Iraqi militant groups and mercenaries have joined the conflict in support of the IRGC. They chant out Islamic slogans.
The internet has been shutdown since January 8. This prevents Iranians to post on social media or to get word to their families on the outside.
While Erfan Soltani was not publicly hanged due to social media and President Trump’s pressure, he was reportedly beat to death while in detention.
Civilians are trapped in their homes all day, only allowed to go outside for essentials. The IRGC monitors every word through Big Brother–style surveillance. If they don’t like something that was said, they will shoot the civilian.
If you are Iranian, chances are that you know someone who has been killed by the Islamic Regime. Close your eyes and imagine discovering that your parent, sibling, or child was killed as a big screen displayed all of the civilian casualties. THAT IS LITERALLY A SCENE OUT OF THE HUNGER GAMES.
The Islamic Regime will stop at NOTHING. There are no boundaries they won’t step over, no lines they won’t cross. It’s limitless cruelty, and its origin point stems from something much deeper. The regime are radical extremists that follow the Qur’an. In their eyes, they believe they’re the good guys and they are carrying out the will of Allah.
In Iran, the freedom of religion does NOT exist. And Christianity is no exception, as the Islamic Regime considers it a threat.
While the majority of Iranians do not identify as Moslem today, there has been an unbelievable surge of conversion to Christianity in one of the most persecuted places on the planet.
“Why is this important?” you might ask.
Throughout history, Christianity has grown most rapidly under persecution, driven by its message of hope, salvation, and the promise of everlasting life with Christ.
This isn’t statistics; these are eye-witness testimonies.
The biggest reason my parents never went back to their home country was that they became Christian. Being a Moslem convert in Iran meant having a target on your back (and death penalty according to Sharia law). Instead, my parents were a part of the founding group that created the Iranian Christian Church, where the sermons are viewed illegally by millions from Iran (and other parts of the Middle East).
In our church we had a call center where countless people would call in, as they cried, shared their testimonies, and begged to accept Christ as their LORD. I remember as a kid watching my dad as he conversed with Iranians on the other side of the world. Countless testimonies describe people receiving dreams and visions, experiencing miracles such as physical healings, and even hearing the audible voice of Christ.
My grandfather was part of an underground church in Iran and arrested for his faith. My parents personally knew Christians that were imprisoned & martyred at the hands of the Islamic government BECAUSE they were bold in their faith. Many people paid the ultimate price for their faith; and yet, despite that sacrifice, Iran has been and continues to be the fastest-growing Christian population in the world (per capita).
This is what the Bible declares about Iran: “’I will set my throne in Elam (modern-day Iran) and destroy her king and officials,” declares the LORD. ‘Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,’ declares the LORD.” - Jeremiah 49:38-39
For the Iranian people, this is their last fight. It’s do or die.
They are Lions, ROARING in the streets. Unarmed but still fighting for their freedom, they are undoubtedly the bravest people in the world. Prince Reza Pahlavi is a symbol of the Iranian people. He is the name that they are chanting inside that concentration camp, because they believe that he will restore Iran to its original design: the “Cyrus Cylinder”, the first recorded declaration of human rights established by King Cyrus.
Many are critical of Iranians asking for America and other countries to provide aid. But do you think we would ask for help if we knew we could take care of it ourselves?
Dear President Trump, please fulfill your promise on backing the Iranian people and help in establishing Pahlavi as the transitional leader. Every day there are more casualties, and we cannot afford to waste anymore time. You said it yourself:
President Trump, if you help save Iran from this nightmare, you will be the best president in recent history, and that is not even an exaggeration.
The Iranian people are deeply grateful to those who continue to speak out against these atrocities. Yet, much of this truth is suppressed by those unwilling to challenge certain narratives. Where are the voices championing “Free Palestine”? Where are the leftists? Why isn’t the media covering this?
Whenever you see a post about Iran, engage with it. Be a part of the conversation. Question what the media feeds you.
I am not sorry for speaking up when my people are being murdered and lack human rights.
Although, at the end of the day, I wish I had never written this to begin with.
To conclude, I urge you to listen to “Dobareh Misazamat Vatan” by Dariush Eghbali. It’s not just a beautiful song, but a promise to restore Iran to its former glory. I will translate the lyrics here:
I shall build you again, my homeland,
Although with bricks of my soul
I shall put columns under your roof,
Although with my bones
I shall again tell beautiful stories about you,
As desired by your young generation
I shall again wash away the blood on you,
With a torrent of my flowing tears
I shall build you again, my homeland,
Although with bricks of my soul
I shall put columns under your roof,
Although with my bones
Although dead for a hundred years,
I shall stand at my grave
To rip out the heart of the devil
With my loud roar
Although I am old, still
If there were a chance to learn,
I shall restart my youth,
Along my own young
I shall build you again, my homeland,
(I shall build you again, my homeland)
Although with bricks of my soul
(Although with bricks of my soul)
I shall put columns under your roof,
(I shall put columns under your roof)
As an Iranian, my heart aches writing this. My people in Iran have suffered 47 years of oppression under the tyranny of the Islamic Regime. They have been silenced, imprisoned, raped, tortured, terrorized, and executed in such brutal ways you cannot even fathom. And now, Iran faces a genocide as the government kills its own people, with countless innocent civilians slaughtered in the streets simply for protesting their freedom.
What’s happening in Iran right now is the defining political & humanitarian moment of the 21st century. But to understand what is happening today, we must start from the beginning.
Please note that this isn’t easy to read. There will be upsetting material. However, I will not show videos as they are too traumatizing for some. This article reflects my personal statements, and is only one voice out of many representing the cries of the Iranian people.
Before 1979, the country of Iran (formerly known as Persia) was led by a hereditary monarch which they called the Shah (meaning “king” in Persian). Under the absolute rule of Shah Mohammad Reza of the Pahlavi dynasty, the Iranians lived a free life, with westernization being heavily adopted. Women received higher education, alcohol was legal, industrialization was booming because of Iran’s access to oil, and so much more.
But not everyone was happy. The Shah’s authoritarian reign over his people meant that he could make whatever decisions he wanted, and that angered many citizens. This was further intensified by the Shah’s close ties with the US and UK.
What is often called the Islamic Revolution was actually an Islamic coup d'état supported by Islamist factions, leftist groups, and received backing from foreign countries. The Shah was forced into exile as a result, and the first Ayatollah assumed power as Iran’s Supreme Leader.
There have been two Supreme Leaders since 1979: Ruhollah Khomeini who ruled for a decade before passing, and Ali Hosseini Khamenei who has ruled to this day. Every horror that you have seen come out of Iran is a result of theirs' or their compatriots’ work.
For more than 4 decades, the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) has a “no tolerance” policy in everything that they do. Here are a few examples:
The death penalty is used very often. Public executions are common to instill fear in the Iranian people.
Countless innocent Iranians of all age demographics are killed by military intervention for participating in any type of protests.
Children are brainwashed, forced to memorize the Qur’an and to remove critical thinking. The chant “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” is taught at a young age, and during times of war, children are also militarized.
Media censorship is pervasive, with journalists imprisoned, nationwide internet shutdowns enforced, Islamic propaganda pushed, and Western-influenced culture restricted.
The so-called “morality police” punish those who defy Islamic law, including through beatings, rape, and torture that have led to the deaths of women for disobedience.
Iran’s juvenile justice system is appalling. Children under 18 can be executed for alleged crimes, often based on confessions coerced through torture, prolonged solitary confinement, and sham trials in which they are denied legal counsel.
And that was only BEFORE. What is happening in Iran now is so monstrous, directors wouldn’t put it in horror films. You are witnessing one massive concentration camp, with the Ayatollah personifying Hitler in the 21st century, and the unarmed innocent Iranian civilians facing persecution like the Jews did in the Holocaust.
In 48 hours, an estimated 12,000 Iranians were slaughtered. The total count from an Immortal Guard (established by the exiled Shah) on the inside mentioned above 30,000 deaths. Today, the true number could exceed 50,000. With countless body bags lacking identification, no official tally exists. Every day, hundreds if not thousands of Iranians continue to be killed for their desire to be free.
Here is a list of the disgusting reality happening in Iran:
Snipers from the IRGC shoot at civilians from the top of buildings.
The IRGC intercepts ambulances and enters hospitals, shooting wounded civilians to prevent treatment.
Hundreds of people that were killed were mutilated to the point where they were unrecognizable.
The Islamic Regime is using chemical weapons that causes paralysis, and contains toxic substances that are lethal.
To get a body back, the IRGC forces families to pay money and provide a box of sweets + a thank you note for murdering their loved one.
Afghan, Arab, and Iraqi militant groups and mercenaries have joined the conflict in support of the IRGC. They chant out Islamic slogans.
The internet has been shutdown since January 8. This prevents Iranians to post on social media or to get word to their families on the outside.
While Erfan Soltani was not publicly hanged due to social media and President Trump’s pressure, he was reportedly beat to death while in detention.
Civilians are trapped in their homes all day, only allowed to go outside for essentials. The IRGC monitors every word through Big Brother–style surveillance. If they don’t like something that was said, they will shoot the civilian.
If you are Iranian, chances are that you know someone who has been killed by the Islamic Regime. Close your eyes and imagine discovering that your parent, sibling, or child was killed as a big screen displayed all of the civilian casualties. THAT IS LITERALLY A SCENE OUT OF THE HUNGER GAMES.
The Islamic Regime will stop at NOTHING. There are no boundaries they won’t step over, no lines they won’t cross. It’s limitless cruelty, and its origin point stems from something much deeper. The regime are radical extremists that follow the Qur’an. In their eyes, they believe they’re the good guys and they are carrying out the will of Allah.
In Iran, the freedom of religion does NOT exist. And Christianity is no exception, as the Islamic Regime considers it a threat.
While the majority of Iranians do not identify as Moslem today, there has been an unbelievable surge of conversion to Christianity in one of the most persecuted places on the planet.
“Why is this important?” you might ask.
Throughout history, Christianity has grown most rapidly under persecution, driven by its message of hope, salvation, and the promise of everlasting life with Christ.
This isn’t statistics; these are eye-witness testimonies.
The biggest reason my parents never went back to their home country was that they became Christian. Being a Moslem convert in Iran meant having a target on your back (and death penalty according to Sharia law). Instead, my parents were a part of the founding group that created the Iranian Christian Church, where the sermons are viewed illegally by millions from Iran (and other parts of the Middle East).
In our church we had a call center where countless people would call in, as they cried, shared their testimonies, and begged to accept Christ as their LORD. I remember as a kid watching my dad as he conversed with Iranians on the other side of the world. Countless testimonies describe people receiving dreams and visions, experiencing miracles such as physical healings, and even hearing the audible voice of Christ.
My grandfather was part of an underground church in Iran and arrested for his faith. My parents personally knew Christians that were imprisoned & martyred at the hands of the Islamic government BECAUSE they were bold in their faith. Many people paid the ultimate price for their faith; and yet, despite that sacrifice, Iran has been and continues to be the fastest-growing Christian population in the world (per capita).
This is what the Bible declares about Iran: “’I will set my throne in Elam (modern-day Iran) and destroy her king and officials,” declares the LORD. ‘Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam in days to come,’ declares the LORD.” - Jeremiah 49:38-39
For the Iranian people, this is their last fight. It’s do or die.
They are Lions, ROARING in the streets. Unarmed but still fighting for their freedom, they are undoubtedly the bravest people in the world. Prince Reza Pahlavi is a symbol of the Iranian people. He is the name that they are chanting inside that concentration camp, because they believe that he will restore Iran to its original design: the “Cyrus Cylinder”, the first recorded declaration of human rights established by King Cyrus.
Many are critical of Iranians asking for America and other countries to provide aid. But do you think we would ask for help if we knew we could take care of it ourselves?
Dear President Trump, please fulfill your promise on backing the Iranian people and help in establishing Pahlavi as the transitional leader. Every day there are more casualties, and we cannot afford to waste anymore time. You said it yourself:
President Trump, if you help save Iran from this nightmare, you will be the best president in recent history, and that is not even an exaggeration.
The Iranian people are deeply grateful to those who continue to speak out against these atrocities. Yet, much of this truth is suppressed by those unwilling to challenge certain narratives. Where are the voices championing “Free Palestine”? Where are the leftists? Why isn’t the media covering this?
Whenever you see a post about Iran, engage with it. Be a part of the conversation. Question what the media feeds you.
I am not sorry for speaking up when my people are being murdered and lack human rights.
Although, at the end of the day, I wish I had never written this to begin with.
To conclude, I urge you to listen to “Dobareh Misazamat Vatan” by Dariush Eghbali. It’s not just a beautiful song, but a promise to restore Iran to its former glory. I will translate the lyrics here:
I shall build you again, my homeland,
Although with bricks of my soul
I shall put columns under your roof,
Although with my bones
I shall again tell beautiful stories about you,
As desired by your young generation
I shall again wash away the blood on you,
With a torrent of my flowing tears
I shall build you again, my homeland,
Although with bricks of my soul
I shall put columns under your roof,
Although with my bones
Although dead for a hundred years,
I shall stand at my grave
To rip out the heart of the devil
With my loud roar
Although I am old, still
If there were a chance to learn,
I shall restart my youth,
Along my own young
I shall build you again, my homeland,
(I shall build you again, my homeland)
Although with bricks of my soul
(Although with bricks of my soul)
I shall put columns under your roof,
(I shall put columns under your roof)
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This post traces decades of oppression in Iran under the Islamic Regime, highlighting IRGC brutality, executions, censorship, and the crackdown on protests. It also notes a surge in Christian converts under persecution and urges international attention and aid. @micah