Iranian Christian, Attieh Fard shares the anguish and hope surrounding Iran’s uprising, calling for urgent action and solidarity with those fighting for freedom.
Soon after my family and I celebrated Christmas with our friends in Leeds, and indulged ourselves not only in homemade puddings but also in exchanging views about the future of Iran, we heard about nationwide protests which, within a week, turned into a multi-million-strong uprising against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Our joyful start to the year turned into a heartbreaking experience when the Islamic regime massacred tens of thousands of peaceful protesters, including children and families. The numbers increased daily, and all we could do was reach out to politicians in the UK and beyond, asking them to take action; the least they could do was proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corpse, the brutal force of the regime involved with the massacre of the Iranians.
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The Iranian government cut the internet to hide its crimes, and after it was restored, we heard that at least 300,000 people had been injured and 30,000 murdered.
The Iranian government cut the internet to hide its crimes, and after it was restored, we heard that at least 300,000 people had been injured and 30,000 murdered. The numbers are likely higher, with some reports suggesting that as many as 90,000 were killed, within just two days. Women were shot in their eyes and bellies. There were also reports of teenage girls being detained in unknown locations and some subjected to rape.
Evidence also emerged of patients in hospitals having been shot in the head. Properties and shops were destroyed by the authorities. Reports emerged of girls being unable to run as fast as men, being carried to safety by brave young men. Unity and humanity were seen at their best in the face of profound evil.
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Those who survived did not stop. They reached out to friends and relatives abroad to be their voice in the diaspora and galvanise support to end the Islamic Republic. I had personally receives messages from Iran saying please do not leave us alone, how can we live with what we have seen. You are our only hope!
Women who had lost their children danced at their funerals and sang songs. One mother said that although they killed her son, she had gained many other children in Iran.
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Trump promised to send help.
Trump promised to send help. As days passed and military ships moved towards Iran without tangible action, those inside the country grew increasingly anxious. Iranians tried to raise their voices, gathering weekly outside No. 10 and the US Embassy, urging President Trump to take military action and the UK government to proscribe the IRGC.
The decisive moment came at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, 28 February 2026, when I saw a missed call on WhatsApp followed by a message saying Israel had attacked Iran. Soon, I heard unconfirmed reports that Ali Khamenei had been killed. Later that day, the news was confirmed, and Iranians and Jews around the world celebrated this historic moment. He was the man who had supported Hamas during the attacks on Israelis on 7 October and had ordered the mass killing of Iranian protesters. Videos emerged from inside Iran showing women without headscarves dancing in the streets, while cars slowed down to avoid them and show support. Women are not legally allowed to display their hair or dance in public.
We saw videos of people recording bombings and cheering. One man thanked “Bibi” (Benjamin Netanyahu) after his house was hit, saying, “My house has been hit, but thank you, Bibi joon”, a term of affection. We rejoiced with Iranians as they finally saw help arriving, albeit forceful and temporarily destructive.
However, media voices on Sky and statements from some politicians on social media painted a different picture not reflecting the fact that Iranians were, collectively, joyful, hopeful, and vigilant. Politicians who had offered little when the regime brutally killed Iranians suddenly voiced concern about potential UK military action, even after Iran attacked UK military bases.
As Christian women, we are called to pray for the vulnerable and the oppressed. Like Esther, we are also called to act, stepping forward after prayer to appeal to those in power and confront the forces of darkness in this world even through military action. Time is critical, and our response must be timely and purposeful.
We can urge our Prime Minister to proscribe the IRGC immediately, ensuring its members cannot operate on British soil. We can pray for wisdom and strength for him so that if it would be necessary to directly attack Iran, that he would be able to lead the country with strenght and wisdom. We can be a voice for the voiceless, advocating for peace and freedom in Iran, the Middle East and the United Kingdom. We can mobilise support for Iranians who were injured and who are impacted by the war during the protests and lack the funds for essential medical treatment.
We can share videos of hope for the Iranians who are ready to tolerate bombs and invasion by a foreign country hoping for freedom. United in Christ, we are capable of doing so much more than we imagine.
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