Iran (MNN) — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian wins Iran’s runoff election, surpassing hardliner rival Saeed Jalili by 2.8 million votes.
On Sunday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei met with members of former president Ebrahim Raisi’s cabinet to “set expectations” for the president-elect.
Pezeshkian has never held a high-security post before. The cardiac surgeon promises to ease tensions with the West and improve social freedoms. However, many Iranians doubt his ability to fulfill those promises, as Khamenei holds the highest authority in the Islamic Republic.
Unknown Nations’ Greg Kelley says, “There’s [still] going to be human rights atrocities, lack of religious freedom, targeting of minority people groups, [and] crackdowns on people standing up for freedom. So, we need to pray for the Iranian people because they are in the crosshairs of the enemy.”
Gospel work continues, thanks to opportunities in nearby countries like Iraq.
Veiled women hold Treasures, Unknown Nations’ solar-powered audio Bibles.
(Photo courtesy of Unknown Nations)
Because Western sanctions stymie Iran’s economy, believers are “leaving Iran to get goods, services, supplies [in a neighboring country], and then they’re going back into Iran,” Kelley explains.
“There’s [an] opportunity for us to train leaders and equip them so that when they do go back into Iran, they can effectively share the Gospel.”
Pray for the continued protection of believers willing to risk everything to share Christ. Pray that Unknown Nations can get the resources needed to distribute more solar-powered audio Bibles in Persian languages.
“There are Iranian followers of Jesus who are eager to share the Good News amongst their brothers and sisters inside Iran because they know that [the] Gospel is the only hope,” Kelley says.
“Pray that they have boldness and courage as they share the Gospel inside of Iran.”
Header image depicts celebration at Pezeshkian’s electoral headquarters on July 3, 2024. (Wikimedia Commons)
