The Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani is better qualified than most to speak about the situation in Iran, and over the past few days she has been making her priorities clear.
Bishop Guli is the daughter of Hassan Dehqani-Tafti, who served as the Anglican bishop in Iran from 1961 to 1990, in exile from 1979 and Bishop President of the Province 1976-86. The 1979 Islamic Revolution saw an assassination attempt on him that wounded his wife, and a year later his son was murdered in Tehran. The family came to Britain when Guli was fourteen years old.
Most recently she has taken issue with Nigel Biggar, a member of the House of Lords who made reference to her brother’s murder in the context of a justification of the Israeli/American assault on Iran.
In a letter to the Daily Telegraph she described the war as neither legal nor just. She said, “This is a war of choice rather than necessity. The Iranian regime is odious and repugnant, but it did not pose an imminent threat that justified pre-emptive self-defence. Diplomacy might have been working frustratingly slowly, but it was working. It certainly hadn't been exhausted.”
She believes that there is neither a clear statement of the war’s aims nor a plan for what might happen after the fighting ends. She goes on: “International law exists precisely to prevent the use of force in such circumstances. Without it, force prevails, the strong prey on the weak, and states routinely act with impunity to resolve their disputes with might. It is a world that invites fear rather than hope.”
She is particularly offended by the references to her brother, who, she says, “would weep for the plight of the powerless caught up in the political machinations of the powerful. He would be saddened by the prospect of another Iraq or Libya. He would want to see the West supporting the Iranian people to find their own solution to their country's future, not leaving them as pawns in the games of others.”
Elsewhere, Bishop Guli has asked Christians “to pray for the protection of the innocent and for wisdom and sound mind for the political leaders whose decisions have brought about this profoundly dangerous situation”.
Her own prayer is one that many have used in response.
Ever-loving God,
who hears us in our anguish and distress,
and longs for us to be free.
We pray for the people of Iran and the wider Middle East,
at this time of fear and uncertainty.
Be near to those who are anxious;
bring comfort to all who are suffering.
Guide those with the power to make decisions,
and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and moderation:
that people of goodwill would seek harmony and reconciliation.
Join us with our Christian brothers and sisters in all places,
in praying for peace with justice,
through him who is the prince of peace,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen