According to a representative of the Foundation for Iranian Studies in Bethesda, Maryland, Armenians and Assyrians form the main Christian groups in Tehran (18 Oct. 1995). The representative was aware of the existence of other smaller Christian groups in Tehran, but was unable to specify them. However, the representative stated that a few priests who had been killed last year had belonged to these smaller groups.

The attached 5 July 1994 Reuters report refers to the murder of a Presbyterian preacher and the 15 March 1995 AFP article provides information on the killing of three Protestant priests one of whom was the preacher mentioned by Reuters. According to the attached 5 February 1994 Boston Globe article, one of the victims was the superintendent of the Assemblies of God churches in Iran.

According to Iran: A Travel Survival Kit,
the Episcopal Church of Iran (part of the Anglican Communion) has churches in Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and Kerman .... The greatest Christian communities are in Orumiye, Tabriz, Tehran ... Esfahan ..., Shiraz and throughout Azarbayjan (St. Vincent Aug. 1992, 34).

While discussing Iranian Christians, Iran: A Country Study states that "the Armenians are predominantly urban and are concentrated in Tehran and Esfahan" (1989, 127).

A 1992 AFP report states:
The Christian community of Iran numbers an estimated 250,000 people out of a total population of 58 million. Most of them are Armenians living in Tehran, where Archbishop Adrak Manoukian has his residence (10 Jan. 1992).
The report refers to two other Christian communities in Tehran and states that "in contrast, few Christians of the Latin rite live in Iran and their church in Tehran is mostly used by foreigners, notably diplomats" (ibid.). Referring to the Assyrians, the report maintains that
most Assyrians are Chaldeans, linked to Rome. Their patriarch, Raphael Bidawid, lives in Baghdad and they also have an archbishop in Tehran. Orthodox Assyrians have two churches in the capital (ibid.).

According to the 6 December 1994 Associated Press report, in 1994 the Pope addressed an unspecified number of Catholic bishops of Tehran and Isfahan.

The attached page of The Europa World Year Book 1994 provides information on the existence of different Christian churches in Tehran.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 March 1995. "Women Go Before Tehran Revolutionary Court in Public." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 January 1992. Jean-Michel Cadiot. "Sister Sophie and Her Solo Mission in Esfahan." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 6 December 1994. "Iranian Official Says Christians in Iran Are Completely Free." (NEXIS)

The Boston Globe. 5 February 1994. City Edition. James L. Franklin. "Episcopal Church to Cut Programs; Religion in the News." (NEXIS)

Foundation for Iranian Studies, Bethesda, MD. 18 October 1995. telephone interview with representative.

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: Department of the Army.

Reuters. 5 July 1994. BC Cycle. "Iran Says Christian Preacher Killed, Aide Dead." (NEXIS)

St. Vincent, David. 1992. Iran: A Travel Survival Kit. London: Lonely Planet Publications.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 15 March 1995. "Women Go Before Tehran Revolutionary Court in Public." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 January 1992. Jean-Michel Cadiot. "Sister Sophie and Her Solo Mission in Esfahan." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 6 December 1994. "Iranian Official Says Christians in Iran Are Completely Free." (NEXIS)

The Boston Globe. 5 February 1994. City Edition. James L. Franklin. "Episcopal Church to Cut Programs; Religion in the News." (NEXIS)

The Europa World Year Book 1994. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications, p. 1499.

Iran: A Country Study. 1989. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, pp. 127-28.

Reuters. 5 July 1994. BC Cycle. "Iran Says Christian Preacher Killed, Aide Dead." (NEXIS)

St. Vincent, David. 1992. Iran: A Travel Survival Kit. London: Lonely Planet Publications, p. 34.