Cardinal in Iran Calls for Peace Talks Amid Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict

TEHRAN, Iran, June 20, 2025: Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, the Archbishop of Tehran-Isfahan of the Latins, on Thursday called for the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Iran as the two nations remain locked in an escalating aerial conflict that has caused significant civilian casualties. Speaking to Vatican Media from the Iranian capital, where he currently resides, Cardinal Mathieu described the dire humanitarian toll of the conflict and the pressing need for de-escalation and dialogue. 

“Today I find myself in the presence of collateral victims: displaced persons, the wounded, and the dead,” he said. “In both nations, there are many civilian victims, both intentional and unintentional.”

Cardinal Mathieu described the conflict between Israel and Iran as "a war without opposing armies".

"There is no common border where they can come into contact, so everything takes place in the airspace, where missiles and drones clash," he said. "It is essentially an asymmetric conflict in which the airspace of the other nation is systematically violated."  

Describing the situation in Tehran’s 11th district (where he is currently based) on the sixth consecutive day of the war, the cardinal said that life appears deceptively calm during the day. “The internet connection has just been restored, the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the weather is pleasant," he said. "However, at night, the air defences are more active than ever,” he added. He also lamented the lack of air-raid shelters and early warning sirens, which leave civilians vulnerable to surprise missile attacks.

Cardinal Mathieu revealed that parts of the local community have been forced to flee to safer areas within the country, while others remain trapped in regions affected by the conflict. Diplomatic missions, he noted, are monitoring the situation closely, with some embassies considering full evacuations by the end of the week.

Expressing the futility of continued violence, the Archbishop called on all parties to return to the negotiating table. “War is not the solution,” he stated firmly. “Perhaps it would be better for the parties to return to the negotiating table. For this reason, we are committed to praying intensely.”

The Cardinal expressed deep gratitude for the prayers and solidarity he has received from people across the world. He concluded with a reflection from the Letter to the Ephesians, invoking the message of unity and reconciliation through Christ: “He has made the two into one people… breaking down the wall of separation between them.”

Courtesy: Vatican News