The military conflict between the United States and Iran that began when President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general on Jan. 3 escalated on Jan. 7, as Iran retaliated with missile strikes on military bases housing American troops in Iraq. On Jan. 7, The Episcopal Church released the statement below in response:
“Amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States following the strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, The Episcopal Church continues to be guided by the teaching of Jesus Christ, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ We affirm that ‘It is crucial in this time of instability and threat of violence that our government and our neighbors seek diplomatic and humanitarian solutions rather than violence.’ We pray for wisdom, restraint, and divine guidance for our leaders and decision makers, that they can move us away from violence and conflict and towards mutual understanding.”
The statement updates one issued in July 2019 at a time of heightened tension over over attacks on shipping vessels and the shooting down of a U.S. surveillance drone.
No, it began when an Iranian proxi army in Iraq attacked a U.S. base and killed an American contractor. In response, the United States bombed the ammo depots of said Iranian puppets. Then the Iranians prod their Iraqi stand-ins to attack the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. So, the solution rightfully was to eliminate the Iranian general of asymmetrical warfare who has initiated and orchestrated this series of events while minimizing collateral damage and killing civilian bystanders. I would say that the current administration has applied the principles of Just War Theory.
The American hating TEC should show solidarity with Iran by sponsoring the next ‘pride’ parade in Tehran.
The Iranian conflict with the USA began in 1979, when it invaded our embassy and held 52 employees hostage for over a year. It intensified in the years following, with many, many terror attacks on US facilities and individuals. Soleimani was the leader of the terrorist wing of the Iranian military, directly responsible for many American deaths (and for many thousands of deaths throughout the Middle East). He was in Iraq contrary to international law. It is possible, although not certain, that his death will result in LESS strife in the Middle East. We should all pray that will be so.