Middle East

| IRAN – TURKEY – AFGHANISTAN

Mehran Shamloui, 37, was trying to reach Europe, but was stopped by Turkish authorities who sent him back to his country of origin, he had been sentenced recently to 10 years in prison for religious activities. Meanwhile, Iran continues its policy of expelling hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants.


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

During an audience with representatives from the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, the pontiff launched a harsh warning to the leaders of the world over the unresolved wars from Ukraine to the Middle East. The pope also called on Christians around the world to learn from those who are the seed of forgiveness and salvation amid the bombs. In the West, Christians must realise “Eastern Catholics today are no longer our distant cousins who celebrate unfamiliar rites”.

| 26/06/2025
| VATICAN

At least a hundred people attacked Kafr Malik, then soldiers opened fire on civilians, killing and wounding several. A 15-year-old boy was also killed in Al-Yamoun. “We live under constant fire from settlers, and under the crossfire of the Israeli occupation army,” said Fr Bashar Fawadleh, “but we are not afraid to remain in our land.”

| 26/06/2025
| ISRAEL – PALESTINE
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
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“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”