Iran moves to confiscate St. Peter Church complex in Tehran; Christian residents face forced eviction

Hengaw – Friday, July 3, 2026

The Islamic Republic of Iran is preparing to enforce a confiscation order against the St. Peter Church complex in Tehran. The move includes the forced eviction of dozens of Armenian and Assyrian Christian residents and the suspension of the church’s religious activities.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, around 20 Armenian and Assyrian families have lived in the St. Peter Church complex for many years. Government authorities have ordered the families to vacate their homes within two weeks. Members of the congregation have also been informed that they must attend religious services at other churches.

The confiscation is based on a ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court in 1998, ordering the transfer of the approximately 10-hectare St. Peter Church complex, including the church building, two schools, and dozens of residential units, to the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO).

The Council of Evangelical Churches of Iran, which administers the church, was unaware of the ruling until 2008. After learning of the decision, the council challenged it. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran subsequently refused to renew the council’s legal registration, and the case was closed, effectively preventing any further legal challenge.

Sources familiar with the matter told Hengaw that most of the families residing in the complex have limited financial means and that their eviction would place their livelihoods and living conditions at serious risk. The sources also said church officials have been threatened with arrest if residents refuse to comply with the eviction order.

Hengaw has also learned that on Sunday, June 28, 2026, six agents from the Ministry of Intelligence spent several hours at the church complex overseeing the implementation of the order, creating a heavy security presence at the site.

Hengaw expresses deep concern over the escalating pressure on Christians in Iran and views this action as part of a broader pattern of systematically restricting freedom of religion or belief, confiscating the property of Christian institutions, and increasing pressure on religious minorities. Hengaw calls on the Iranian authorities to halt the confiscation of St. Peter Church, revoke the eviction order, and respect the fundamental rights of Christian residents, including their rights to freedom of religion, property, and security of residence.