Religious leaders in the U.S. and Iran call on their governments to end hostilities

By Anabaptist World Staff / IRNA. Published on Anabaptist World on February 23, 2026.

Source: Envato

In what may be the first time in history, a group of American Christian, Muslim and Jewish religious leaders have joined hands with Iranian Muslim religious leaders in a statement to call on their governments to negotiate with mutual respect to end the animosity between their countries and move to a genuine peace. 

“With profound sympathy for all victims of war and oppression, we together implore our governmental leaders and those of other countries to take concrete steps towards reconciliation before even greater catastrophes befall us,” the statement said.

The initial signers to “A Time for Peace” were 14 Americans (eight Christian, three Muslim, three Jewish) and six Iranians (all Muslims), who recognize that the Golden Rule — “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” — is the cornerstone of their shared religious heritage given through Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.  

The group has affirmed that genuine peace means more than cessation of hostilities. The statement says that peace “entails cooperation across differences to address injustice, poverty and hunger, environmental degradation and threats to public health.”

Religious leaders from both countries are offering to partner with their governments, faith communities and civil society organizations to prepare the ground for genuine peace.

Among the signatories are retired Episcopal bishop John Bryson Chane of Washington, D.C., Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Imam M. Mehdi Kazmi and Ambassador Mehdi Faridzedeh.

Read the full article on Anabaptise World: https://anabaptistworld.org/religious-leaders-in-the-u-s-iran-call-on-their-governments-to-end-hostilities/