The offensive led by Israel and the United States against Iran, which has resulted in the deaths of Ali Khamenei and other leaders of the revolutionary leadership, has shaken the world. In the Iranian community settled in Spain, there has been a general reaction of joy. This is according to Samuel Nielsen, who pastors a church in Barcelona (Spain) that welcomes Iranians in exile.

Nielsen describes the current climate as a mixture of relief and historic hope for thousands of exiles who have suffered for decades under the theocratic system of the Ayatollah regime.

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The feeling of a community in exile

For Nielsen, the response of Iranians in Barcelona reflects the release of almost half a century of restrictions. “People let it all out. There are people who have been waiting for this for more than 40 years; people who had to leave the country in their 20s or 30s; and to see them now crying for their free homeland is something inexplicable”, explains the pastor.

“There are people who have been waiting for this for more than 40 years; people who had to leave the country in their 20s or 30s”

Samuel, whose wife Sara Akhavan was imprisoned in the past for her faith in Iran, points out that the mood of the community is one of euphoria comparable to large collective celebrations, motivated by the real possibility of regaining freedom of worship. “It’s like when Spain or Argentina won the World Cup, that feeling of euphoric joy, that’s what I’ve seen in our community”, he said in conversation with Spanish news website Protestante Digital.

Although the conflict is ongoing, the pastor perceives a fundamental difference in the population's attitude compared to previous crises. According to Nielsen, there is a perception that the military targets are being surgical and that “unlike the regime, which has singled out, imprisoned and persecuted its own people”, the military attack is mainly affecting military targets.

 

Isolation and denunciations from within

When asked if they have been able to contact people who are now in Iran, Samuel explains that there are many difficulties due to communication and power cuts. However, they are able to communicate via satellite and other direct and personal networks.

One of the most serious allegations reported by the missionary is the use of prisoners as assets of war. “The government has begun to use political prisoners, especially those in Evin Prison—where my wife was held—as human shields. They have taken them and moved them to their mountain hideouts to defend themselves, knowing that there will be attacks. We have evidence that pastors are being used in this way right now”, warns Nielsen, highlighting a reality that is only just beginning to emerge in the international media.

 

Prospects for the church and the future of the country

The evangelical pastor believes that the collapse of the system began socially with the protests at the beginning of the year, when the civilian population began to openly challenge the symbols of the regime. Given this scenario, the pastor calls on the global church to remain “awake” and attentive to the opportunities for accompaniment that arise in the diaspora.

“We pray that what is opening up will be a significant change for the witness of the Gospel, for religious freedom”

The pastor believes that this is an appropriate time for the church to accompany Iranian families in their joy and in their pain. “We pray that what is opening up will be a significant change for the witness of the Gospel; that the new government in Iran will open the doors to religious freedom”.

The Iranian community in Barcelona is also focusing its prayers on the physical protection of the pastors who remain captive and on the establishment of a new order that allows for church planting and evangelising “without restrictions”.

The dream of Samuel and his wife, Sara, like that of many members of their church, remains to return to an Iran where its 95 million citizens can access the message of the Gospel in a context of complete freedom.