Edwin Keshish-Abnous

There have been protests all over Iran for the past few weeks. This is the latest in a long line of uprisings that started with the Green Movement in 2009 and continued with the protests from 2017 to 2019 and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement in 2022. What we are seeing now is not just a one-time outburst of anger. It is the ongoing story of a country that has lived under tyranny for almost fifty years and is now once again fighting for freedom, honesty, and basic human rights.

This time, the cost to people is huge. Independent monitoring groups and major news outlets say that the crackdown has led to over 12,000 deaths. At the same time, other groups are saying that the number of confirmed deaths is lower, but they are also warning that the real number is probably much higher because it’s hard to verify when there are communication blackouts. There are too many injuries. Doctors at one hospital in Tehran said they had treated hundreds of gunshot-related eye injuries, which suggests that the government used planned methods to permanently disable and scare protesters.

Signs that the regime is getting weaker, even though it is violent

The Islamic Republic is acting like it usually does with violence, mass arrests, and control over information. But there are also signs of stress that are easy to see.

The size of the communication shutdown is one of the most obvious signs. Reuters said that during the nationwide blackout, internet access dropped to about 1% of normal levels. Some people tried to get to the outside world through satellite internet like Starlink. NetBlocks has also recorded long-lasting outages across the country, which proves that the blackout lasted for days. These blackouts are not just a way to control people; they are also a sign of fear—fear of working together, fear of being caught, and fear of the truth getting out.

There are also more and more reports of anxiety within the regime’s security forces, such as worries about disobedience and defections. Reports and analyses have pointed out that the regime has warned military personnel, which shows that it is worried about breaking up unity within its own enforcement structure. When a government has to rely more and more on threats and isolation, it’s usually because it isn’t legitimate anymore.

A movement is gaining strength, and there is a clear call for change in the government.

Another important change is that more and more people are coming together around a transitional direction. Iranians will ultimately choose the final political system, whether it be a constitutional monarchy, a republic, or another democratic model. But the immediate goal is becoming clearer: regime change.

In that light, Reza Pahlavi has become a stronger voice for unity. He hasn’t been quiet about politics while in exile; he’s been calling for regime change and unity among the opposition for a long time. What has changed now is that there is more public interest in his leadership and the seriousness of the transition planning that is being talked about.

In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump sent a clearer message to the West by saying he had canceled meetings with Iranian officials until the killing stops and that “help is on the way.”

We want to be very clear at Heart4Iran: we support the people of Iran and want a change in the government. We don’t see this as a political slogan; we see it as a biblical call for justice. The Bible always shows how much God cares about the oppressed, how much He hates tyranny, and how much He wants leaders to respect people’s dignity. Wanting to get rid of a government that kills its own people, goes against their conscience, and punishes the truth is not extreme; it is moral clarity.

What we do every day for Iranians who live in the country

Since the internet has been shut down for so many people in Iran, it’s hard to find reliable information and fear spreads quickly. That’s why we go live every day to talk to Iranians who have been cut off from the rest of the world and cover what’s going on. We offer:

• The most recent news as it comes in
• Prayer and spiritual help for tired hearts

A way for people living outside of Iran to send messages to their loved ones inside the country. This way, families who are cut off from each other can hear, “You are not alone.” We can see you. “We are with you.”

I have been taking part in these live broadcasts because this is not the time to be far away. This is a time to be present.

It’s time now, and we need you with us.

We believe that now is the time, not later. If this uprising is put down, it might take a lot longer and cost a lot more to get another one going. The government will learn, change, and tighten its grip. That is why we are asking you to join us, not just watch.

Right now, you can do this:

Every day, pray for safety, bravery, and wisdom for a fair transition.

Send words of encouragement to Iranians inside the country to let them know that the global Church is with them.

Help Heart4Iran keep broadcasting, telling the truth, praying on the air, and giving hope to a country that is in the dark.

Iran’s story is still going on. But we can’t wait to respond. Fight for what’s right. Don’t give up hope. Have faith when you pray. And help us keep going, because millions of Iranians are listening in the dark and waiting to hear that there is still hope.