Presiding Bishop on Iran Military Strike

March 1, 2026

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran

February 28, 2026

Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church,

Here in the United States, we awoke this morning with alarm to the news that the United States and Israel have launched a large military strike on Iran. This violent attack comes despite weeks of negotiations that many of us had hoped would prevent armed conflict in this fragile region, which is home to so many religious traditions and faithful people.

Bishop Jeffrey Mello of Connecticut and a group of pilgrims from that diocese are in the Holy Land now, and when we spoke this morning, he let me know that they are safe at St. George’s College in Jerusalem. I ask you to pray fervently for them and their safe return.

Pray, too, for all the people of the Holy Land, and especially for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and its leader, Archbishop Hosam Naoum. I had planned to be with Hosam today and tomorrow when he made a long-planned visit to our church. Many Episcopalians who had hoped to see him and assure him of our support will feel his absence keenly in the coming days. I commend to you the letter that he has sent to the people of his diocese this morning.

As news reports tell us of fear and panic in Iran, I ask you to pray especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people. In recent weeks, we have mourned as the regime in Iran has killed peaceful protesters, and watched with alarm at both its increasing repression of the Iranian people and the escalating response of the U.S. government. As Christians who follow a Prince of Peace, we mourn that today’s attacks will surely mean further hardship for the most vulnerable Iranians and, as retaliation inevitably follows, suffering that will spread across the entire region.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Most Rev. Sean Rowe

Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

Learn more about the Episcopal Church’s advocacy for peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land from the Office of Government Relations.

Condemn Attack on Iran and Assert War Powers

Just eight weeks after unauthorized military action in Venezuela, the Trump administration has again used military force to issue a first strike on a sovereign state without seeking congressional authorization to go to war or generating support of the international community.

The United States military strikes on Iran represent a continued disregard for national and international law. We lament once again the reckless use of military force rather than investment in negotiations and multilateralism. Now, U.S. actions are dangerously escalating violence in the region, putting the lives and well-being of millions at risk, as well as causing profound impacts globally.

We pray for the people of Iran, Israel, Palestine, all nearby in the Middle East and in diaspora communities, and for the personnel of the U.S. armed forces who have been put in harm’s way.

The Most Rev. Hosam E. Naoum wrote to the church this morning and said: “We must remain ’Bridge Builders.’ Even as diplomatic windows seem to slam shut, the Church must keep the doors of reconciliation open. We refuse to see our neighbors as enemies, whether they be in Tehran, Tel Aviv, or the military bases of the Gulf. I extend an urgent invitation to the wider Anglican Communion and all people of goodwill: Intercede for us now. The hour is late, and the danger is great.”

Please tell your members of Congress to reclaim war powers and do all they can to stop escalating violence.

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