Christians in Iran have been increasingly targeted as “scapegoats” by the government following last year’s conflict with Israel, a new report has shown.

The coalition of religious liberty groups behind the study warns that arrests, imprisonment, exile, and forced labour of believers has risen sharply.

The report, named Scapegoats, was published by Article 18, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), and Middle East Concern. It says the number of Christians arrested for faith-related activity nearly doubled in 2025, rising from 139 to 254. Those imprisoned, exiled, or forced into labour also increased, from 25 to 57.

The study links the rise in persecution to nationwide protests that began late last year.

Initially led by Bazari shopkeepers concerned about the economy, the protests later expanded to wider anti-government demonstrations. The regime reportedly responded with lethal force, with thousands killed, including several Christians.

The findings have come amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, after the US president warned of limited strikes following nuclear talks, despite an Iranian diplomat saying a proposed agreement could be ready within days.

CSW welcomed the British government’s sanctions on Iranian officials involved in the crackdown.

The report noted: “The response to those protests has been horrifying with reports of many thousands killed, including several Christians, and every Iranian regardless of their religious background, affected.”

It added: “For 47 years, the Iranian people have been subjected to a regime that not only consistently fails to uphold human rights for its citizens, but brutally quashes dissenting voices, opinions or beliefs.”

According to Open Doors, Iran is currently the tenth worst persecutor of Christians worldwide, with converts from Islam facing the highest risk.