At the end of February 2026, the United States and Israel launched an armed conflict against Iran, with attacks also affecting other countries in the region and targeting both military and civilian sites. The consequences of the war remain devastating and have begun to affect the global economy, particularly natural gas supplies.

Against this backdrop, a group of religious leaders from the United States and Iran launched the appeal “Choose Diplomacy, Not War” through Luke 10. The signatories, representing different religious traditions, call on governments to bring an end to hostilities and pursue a diplomatic path towards a just and lasting peace. The statement also highlights the importance of dialogue and mutual trust, drawing on the relationships that religious leaders from the two countries have built over the years.

Luke 10, an interfaith organisation focused on building trust and dialogue between Iranians and Americans, has been working in the field of mediation and networking since before the outbreak of the conflict. On 5 February, it published “A Time for Peace”, signed by US and Iranian religious leaders and dedicated to preventing conflict through cooperation.

Pax Christi International supports the appeal and invites organisations and individuals to endorse it, helping to further strengthen a network for peace that stands against the atrocities that are still taking place.