Jan 23, 2026
For decades, the Lautenberg-Specter program has provided a pathway for members of oppressed religious groups, including Christians, Jews, and Baha’is, with close family ties to the United States to escape persecution in Iran and the former Soviet states. By offering refuge to those fleeing religious persecution, the Lautenberg-Specter program underscores our nation’s leadership in defending religious freedom.
On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, Chair Vicky Hartzler speaks with Mark Hetfield, President of HIAS, about the Lautenberg-Specter program.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Iran
Religion or Belief: Bahá`í
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Navid Tashakor
Extra Bio Info:
Navid Tashakor is detained for his religious identity.
On December 13, 2025, Iranian authorities arrested Tashakor, a Baha'i citizen, and charged him with “propaganda against the state through educational activities deemed deviant and contrary to or disruptive of Islamic law.”
Previously, authorities detained Tashakor in June 2025 for seventeen days.
Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Iran
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Nayereh Arjaneh
Extra Bio Info:
Nayereh Arjaneh is imprisoned for her religious conversion and activity.
On July 7, 2025, Iranian authorities arrested Arjaneh and her husband at their home for attending a Christian seminar in Turkey.
The Revolutionary Court of Garmsar sentenced her to 5 years' imprisonment for “promoting deviant propaganda and teachings contrary to Islamic law" and 5 years' imprisonment for "providing financial and material support to groups affiliated with Zionist Christianity." Authorities fined her 225 million toman and ruled she serve her two prison terms concurrently.