The World Council of Churches has called for an end to the escalation around Iran

In connection with the sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East after the beginning of the U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strikes, the World Council of Churches has issued calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the resumption of diplomatic dialogue. This is reported by the website of the organization.

As Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Jeffrey Pillay stressed, the spiral of violence endangers millions of civilians, undermines regional and international security and threatens to further destabilize the Middle East. The Council of Churches called for the protection of civilians and infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law and expressed prayerful solidarity with the peoples and Christian communities of the region.

The military operation against Iran began on February 28, with strikes killing the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran announced the establishment of an interim governing council and retaliated with strikes against Israeli targets and U.S. bases in the region, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.

The statements by international Christian bodies came amid rising tensions and attempts to restart the negotiation process, which religious leaders say remains the only way to prevent further escalation.

For their part, more than 200 Christian leaders from Iran announced their support for Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the country’s last shah. The announcement came amid ongoing deadly protests in the country against the government, which leaders say has lost all legitimacy and is causing great harm to the people. Christian figures are calling for national unity and regime change so that Iran can once again become a herald of hope and freedom