Tehran: As hostilities intensify between Iran and Israel, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Archbishop of Tehran-Ispahan of the Latins, has issued a heartfelt appeal for dialogue and restraint, voicing concern over the rising tide of military aggression.

In a conversation with AsiaNews, Cardinal Mathieu expressed deep sorrow over the latest exchange of attacks—Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure and leadership, followed by a large-scale retaliatory drone assault from Tehran. “It pains us to witness yet again that peace is being sought through preemptive violence rather than honest dialogue at the negotiating table,” he lamented.

The Cardinal’s appeal follows reports of "Operation Rising Lion," an Israeli offensive aimed at crippling Iranian strategic capabilities. In response, Iran unleashed over a hundred drones toward Israeli airspace, prompting fears that this could escalate into a broader regional war.

“We pray,” Cardinal Mathieu said solemnly, “that consensus-based dialogue triumphs over force. May the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain efforts for a peaceful resolution.”

The Cardinal’s statement comes at a moment of stalled diplomacy, as Iran withdraws from the sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman. The breakdown in talks adds to international anxiety, especially as signs of escalation multiply across the region.

Cardinal Mathieu issued a grave warning about the potential for widespread destabilization, stating, “The feared escalation is no longer a distant threat—it is becoming a reality.”

Despite Iran’s complex socio-political landscape, the Archbishop reaffirmed the resilience and diversity of Iran’s Christian minority, which includes Latin, Chaldean, and Armenian communities. With only around 22,000 Latin Catholics in a nation of over 84 million, Cardinal Mathieu described their identity as “shaped by both the cross and hope.”

He spoke warmly of the community’s unity with the global Church and its enduring connection with both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, whom he described as sources of inspiration during the ongoing Jubilee Year.

Highlighting the Church’s mission as one of presence, service, and bridge-building, Cardinal Mathieu recalled the efforts of Pope Francis to engage in interfaith dialogue, particularly with Shiite religious leaders in Qom.

“Sometimes,” he observed, “the doors may seem shut, but prayer keeps the connection alive. Even in silence and waiting, the Church continues to stand in solidarity with all people of goodwill.”

In closing, Cardinal Mathieu urged the Church not to retreat, but to continue cultivating understanding and fraternity in a region where peace is fragile and desperately needed.