Iranian Christian leaders are urging prayer and restraint as nationwide protests enter their tenth day, amid reports of at least 29 deaths and an escalating security crackdown.

The World Iranian Christian Alliance (WICA), a recently formed body seeking to represent Iranian Christians globally, has spoken out against what it describes as the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Protests began on December 28 and have spread to more than 80 cities, with human rights groups reporting at least 29 people killed so far.

In a statement released this week, WICA said it was “deeply concerned” by the authorities’ response and suppression of the protests.

WICA accused officials of deliberately portraying demonstrators as criminals in order to legitimize the use of force.

“Peaceful protest is an indisputable right of every citizen, and harm to the lives and property of protesters must neither be ignored nor normalized,” the statement said.

The alliance also highlighted worsening living conditions, including rising costs, shortages of basic utilities, and the impact of renewed international sanctions, which it says have compounded pressure on ordinary Iranians.

On January 2, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran’s leadership against killing protesters, claiming the United States was “locked and loaded and ready to go” and would “come to their rescue.”

While stopping short of endorsing any political agenda, WICA appealed directly to Iran’s authorities to “respect the human dignity of citizens and to refrain from repeating past practices of resorting to violent repression of protests.”

The group offered condolences to bereaved families and called on Iranian Christians to “engage in prayer, responsible reflection, and conscientious action,” expressing hope that Iran can move toward “a brighter future grounded in justice, compassion, and respect for the rights of all citizens.”