Christian Headlines Blog Christian Blog and Commentary

NEW! Culture and news content from ChristianHeadlines.com is moving to a new home at Crosswalk - check it out!

Pastor Saeed Aware Obama Spoke Out as Iranian Media Reports Historic Phone Call

  • Religion Today Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Nov 05, 2013

American pastor Saeed Abedini is now aware that President Obama urged Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to release him from wrongful imprisonment for his Christian faith in Iran, the American Center for Law and Justice reports. Early Monday morning in Tehran, Pastor Saeed's Iranian family was able to sit and visit with him through a glass partition during regular visitation hours at Evin Prison. For the first time, Pastor Saeed had a glimmer of hope that he would soon be released. Iranian news sources had reported on President Obama's phone call with President Rouhani. Pastor Saeed was aware that his case, among other imprisoned Americans, was raised during this historic phone call -- the first direct conversation between an American president and an Iranian president in 34 years. Although the entire Abedini family is encouraged by the recent events, until Pastor Saeed's feet are firmly planted on U.S. soil, they remain cautiously optimistic. "We are keeping up the pressure on the Iranian government to release Pastor Saeed, a U.S. citizen," the ACLJ wrote. "Already over 626,000 people have signed our petition to free Pastor Saeed and we have received over 134,000 letters to President Rouhani asking for his release. Now is a critical time to act for Pastor Saeed as his case has been raised to the highest levels of both the U.S. and Iranian governments." To sign a letter for Pastor Saeed's freedom, click here.