NCPO Statement Regarding Relations with Iran

In conjunction with the Network of Christian Peace Organisations, the APF is a signatory to a statement with regard to the rising tensions between Iran and the US, following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani and nine other people and the retaliatory rocket attacks on two US bases in Iraq.

The statement is can be found below and you can also access the PDF version here.

STATEMENT REGARDING RELATIONS WITH IRAN
The Network of Christian Peace Organisations is deeply concerned about the current level of
tensions between Iran and the United States following the recent extra-judicial killing of Qasem
Soleimani and nine other people and the retaliatory rocket attacks on two US bases in Iraq.
We believe that all humans are created in the image of God and that all life is precious. The Bible
teaches us that no person is beyond redemption and beyond the Grace and Love of Jesus Christ.
As Christians we are called to follow Jesus and His teachings of peace, not the short-term foreign
policy objectives of our own government. We have a duty to speak truth to power, whatever the
consequences may be.
Jesus has called us to be peacemakers. The successful negotiation of the Iran Nuclear Deal was a
great example of peace-making in action, stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons and easing
the suffering of the Iranian people through sanctions. The decisions of first the United States and
now Iran to violate the terms of the Deal are disappointing and represent a backward step for the
world. We believe that the deal can be saved if there is sufficient political will to do so. At a time
when the United Kingdom is realigning global relationships this is a chance to speak for peace and
cooperation. We urge the UK government to remain committed to the Iran Nuclear Deal.
We pray for all leaders involved in this situation. We pray that they will have the courage to seek
dialogue and relationships that can forge a meaningful and lasting peace. We pray for those living
under the threat of conflict in the Middle East and we look forward to the fulfilment of the words
of the prophet Isaiah: They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning
hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.