The Council for World Mission (CWM) expresses grave concern and unequivocally condemns the joint military strikes carried out by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory in February 2026. These actions represent a serious escalation in an already fragile region and risk further destabilisation. Unilateral military interventions undertaken without transparent multilateral mandate and without clear compliance with international law are illegal and unlawful.
As a community of churches called to God’s transforming mission, CWM affirms that respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity is foundational to peace. Our missional theology, shaped by histories of colonialism, struggles for self-determination, and partnership in mission, rejects any exercise of power that denies the agency, dignity, and political integrity of peoples and nations. We believe that the principle of self-determination is not merely political, but it is theological, affirming that communities are called to shape their own futures in justice and freedom. No state, regardless of its military or economic power, stands above international law.
We are equally concerned by the subsequent retaliatory strikes by Iran. Retaliation, while presented as deterrence, perpetuates cycles of violence and narrows the space for diplomacy. Escalation from all sides threatens regional stability and undermines ongoing efforts toward negotiation and de-escalation.
The human consequences of these military actions are severe. Civilians bear the disproportionate cost of conflict, through displacement, loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and long-term trauma. Essential services, including healthcare, education, and humanitarian relief, are disrupted. At a time when multiple regions, including Gaza and Ukraine, are already experiencing profound humanitarian crises, further escalation deepens global suffering.
CWM’s current Strategy Framework calls for nurturing Life-Flourishing Communities, where justice, peace, ecological sustainability, economic equity, and spiritual dignity are upheld. Military aggression that promotes the logic of domination, coercion, and violence stands in direct contradiction to this vision of life.
CWM reiterates that sustainable peace cannot be secured through force. It requires accountable governance, adherence to international law, and persistent diplomatic engagement. Our work in peacebuilding emphasises accompaniment of local communities through deep listening, truth-telling, and pawing pathways toward reconciliation. In a region marked by deep religious diversity, commitment to interfaith collaboration is crucial. People from different faith traditions share a moral responsibility to resist violence and uphold the sanctity of life.
In light of this crisis, the Council for World Mission:
- Strongly condemns the unlawful and irresponsible use of force by the United States and Israel in violation of international legal norms and the sovereign integrity of Iran, and calls for immediate cessation of further military aggression.
- Calls for urgent de-escalation by all parties, including restraint from retaliatory strikes, and the establishment of diplomatic channels under multilateral oversight to prevent further regional destabilisation.
- Demands renewed commitment to international law and accountability, urging states to submit disputes to recognised international legal institutions and to uphold the principles of the UN Charter, including non-intervention and respect for territorial sovereignty.
- Appeals for immediate, sustained, and unrestricted humanitarian assistance to all affected populations, with guaranteed protection for civilians, humanitarian workers, and critical infrastructure.
- Calls upon global churches, mission organisations, and ecumenical partners to intensify prayer, prophetic witness, and advocacy for peace, justice, and reconciliation, resisting narratives that normalise war and legitimise unlawful violence.
As a global community of churches committed to life-flourishing communities, CWM affirms that true security is never achieved through domination but through justice, dialogue, and solidarity. We urge political leaders to step back from the brink of escalation and to recommit to the hard but necessary work of peacemaking. We call the worldwide Church to pray for wisdom among leaders, for protection of civilians, for the restraint of retaliatory impulses, and for the restoration of just peace.
May the God of life disturb systems of violence, strengthen the hands of peacemakers across the nations and faiths, and guide the world toward a future where sovereignty is respected, law is upheld, and every human life is treated as sacred.
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