Iran

by card. Dominique Joseph Mathieu * | IRAN

In a reflection for AsiaNews, Archbishop Mathieu criticises the ‘colonial hegemony’ that distorts the reality of an ‘intrinsically multipolar’ region. ‘Peace cannot be built on the ideology of a so-called free interventionist world that dehumanises parts of populations that are not aligned with them.’ Tension rises over nuclear issue: “E3” countries want to reactivate snapback mechanism, Tehran threatens to withdraw from Non-Proliferation Treaty.

by Dario Salvi

Speaking to AsiaNews, the parish priest describes the tragic reality of a population that is getting more desperate by the day. The war continues in the shadow of Israel-Iran confrontation, with a glimmer of hope for fresh ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu is set to visit the White House next week. Palestinians in Gaza show photos of Israeli children killed by Hamas on 7 October.

| 01/07/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

In recent days, three men accused of “spying” for Israel were executed. Dozens of Afghan migrants were detained in Operation “Plan Hijrat”. According to the UN, Tehran is deporting up to 30,000 Afghans a day. Arrests and interrogations also among Baha'is and Iranian Jews. An apparent show of force to mask military weaknesses.

| 30/06/2025
| IRAN
by Card Dominique Joseph Mathieu*

In his latest reflection in his “war diary”, Archbishop Mathieu turns to the ceasefire in force since yesterday between Israel and Iran, after the US intervention. The '12-day war' has changed “the perception of the world”. He is grateful for the sense of “the closeness” expressed “in many ways”. Yet, “We are still at the right of self-defence,” he writes. And “if we think that caring for our flowers and plants is all about weeding, we risk making the soil sterile.” Transmitting “love and not hate” is a challenge.

| 25/06/2025
| IRAN – ISRAEL
by Dario Salvi

In a situation that remains “worrying” despite the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Monsignor Martinelli recalls that “the possibility of dialogue must never be abandoned”. The document on brotherhood is a “response of peace to violence”. Prayer and friendship initiatives at the Abrahamic Family House in the footsteps of St Francis. Places are needed to “experience hope, peace and reconciliation”.

| 25/06/2025
| GULF - ISRAEL - IRAN
by Dario Salvi

Trump announced a ceasefire, but promising new attacks, Israel accuses Iran of violating it, a claim Iran rejected. Bishop Nahra describes Israel as a nation still "paralysed" by "permanent war”, vulnerable to rockets. He expressed closeness to Christians in Syria, victims of religious violence. He stressed the need for people "rooted in hope”, while waiting for pilgrims’ return.

| 24/06/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

An Iranian blockade of the world's main maritime transit point for oil and gas would have severe repercussions in Asia, especially for China, India, Japan, and South Korea. As crude oil prices rise, many doubt that Iran can carry out its threats because they would harm China, risking further isolating the country.

| 23/06/2025
| IRAN – ASIA
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