February 25, 2007

As Christian leaders from the United States,
we went to Iran at this time of increased
tension believing that it is possible to build
bridges of understanding between our
two countries. We believe military action is
not the answer, and that God calls us to just
and peaceful relationships within the
global community.

We were a diverse group of Christian leaders
that included United Methodist, Episcopal,
Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker,
and Mennonites who have 17 years of
on the ground experience in Iran. We were
warmly welcomed by the Iranian people,
and our time in Iran convinced us that
religious leaders from both countries
can help pave the way for mutual
respect and peaceful relations between
our nations.

During our visit we met with Muslim and
Christian leaders, government officials,
and other Iranian people. Our final day
included a meeting with former President
Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad.
The meeting with President Ahmadinejad
was the first time an American delegation
had met with a sitting Iranian President in
Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979.
The meeting lasted 2.5 hours and covered
a range of topics including the role of religion
in transforming conflict, Iraq, nuclear
proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.

What the delegation found most encouraging
from the meeting with President Ahmadinejad
was a clear declaration from him of no
intention to acquire or use nuclear
weapons, as well as a statement that
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be
solved through political not military means.
Finally, he said, “I have no reservation about
conducting talks with American officials if
we see some good will.”

We believe it is possible for further
dialogue and that there can be a new day
in U.S. – Iranian relations. The Iranian
government has already built a bridge toward
the American people by inviting our delegation
to come to Iran. We ask the U.S. government
to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian
religious leaders to the United States.

As additional steps in building bridges
between our nations, we call upon both the
United States and Iranian governments to:

• Immediately engage in direct
  face-to-face talks
  
• Cease using language that
  defines the other using “enemy”
  images
  
• Promote more people to people
  exchanges including religious
  leaders, members of Parliament/
  Congress, and civil society
  
• As people of faith, we are
  committed to working towards
  these and other confidence
  building measures,
  which we hope will move our two
  nations from the precipice of
  war towards a more just and
  peaceful settlement.

Link to list of
delegation attendees