USCIRF calls for accountability over religious freedom violations in Iran talks

WASHINGTON — As high-level talks between the United States and Iran approach in Oman, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has urged President Donald Trump’s administration to prioritize addressing Iran’s ongoing violations of religious freedom. The independent, bipartisan commission has highlighted the “egregious” persecution of religious minorities in Iran, including Christian converts, and called for these issues to be tackled during the discussions. 

USCIRF Vice Chair Meir Soloveichik underscored the importance of protecting religious refugees who have fled Iran, stating, “Ensuring that religiously persecuted Iranians are protected from the horrors awaiting them if refouled to Iran sends a clear signal that the U.S. government prioritizes freedom of religion or belief.” The commission urged the U.S. to ensure these individuals are not forced to return to Iran, where they face severe risks, including harassment, torture, and imprisonment. 

The commission’s concerns stem from Iran’s systematic targeting of individuals who dissent from the government-endorsed interpretation of religion, particularly converts from Islam. USCIRF Chair Stephen Scheck emphasized the severity of the situation, noting, “Iranians who dissent from the government’s endorsed religious interpretation—particularly converts from Islam—face severe government persecution for both their religious beliefs and for exercising their freedom to change these beliefs.” 

USCIRF has also renewed its call for the permanent reauthorization of the Lautenberg Amendment, a U.S. policy that prioritizes resettlement of persecuted religious minorities from Iran. The commission cited recent reports of Iranian asylum-seekers being sent to Panama and warned that these individuals could face forced repatriation to Iran, where they are likely to experience persecution. 

Mansour Borji, director of an advocacy group, expressed his gratitude for USCIRF’s efforts to spotlight the plight of Iranian religious refugees. Borji stated, “We call on not only the U.S. government but other nations too to open their doors to genuine converts to Christianity, whose risk of persecution should they be returned to Iran is beyond doubt.” 

Broader context and developments regarding Iran 

Iran’s religious freedom violations have been an ongoing issue, with the government systematically targeting religious minorities such as Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, and Christian converts. These groups face harassment, imprisonment, and even execution due to their beliefs. In its 2025 annual report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department designate Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its persistent and flagrant religious freedom violations. 

The commission also highlighted Iran’s use of repressive measures, including denying medical care to imprisoned religious freedom advocates and shutting down businesses owned by Baha’is. These actions are part of a broader pattern of state-sponsored persecution that has drawn international condemnation. 

The upcoming talks in Oman represent a critical opportunity for the U.S. to address these issues and demand concessions from Iran regarding its treatment of religious minorities. As the international community closely monitors the situation, the outcomes of these discussions could significantly impact the protection of religious freedom and the broader relationship between the United States and Iran.

.@USCIRF has called on the US government to “demand accountability for #Iran’s #ReligiousFreedom violations” during tomorrow’s planned discussions between the two nations in #Oman.

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The independent, bipartisan group noted that Iran’s “egregious”…

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