http://www.crosswalk.com/news/religiontoday/11640398/

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged President Obama Oct. 29 to pressure Iran to release a Christian pastor facing a death sentence.

Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor in Northern Iran, reportedly has been tried and informed verbally he will be executed for committing apostasy under Iran's militant Islamic regime, according to the commission (USCIRF). In an attempt to apply more pressure to Nadarkhani to recant his confession of Christ, delivery of a written verdict to the pastor has been delayed, according to Present Truth Ministries, which aids the persecuted church overseas. Nadarkhani will have 20 days to appeal to Iran's Supreme Court after he receives a verdict in writing, Present Truth reported Oct. 23.