The Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East has described the situation in his dioceses as “terrifying”.
The US has now intervened in the conflict, striking three Iranian nuclear sites.
Archbishop Hosam was writing to his congregations in the wake of Israel’s attacks last week, emphasising the beatitude: “blessed are the peacemakers”.
Iran, Israel, Cyprus and Syria fall under his diocese. Naoum invited believers around the world to “intercede” on behalf of the Middle East.
“The nations at war… reside entirely within the boundaries of our own Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East…many of our church members have endured direct attacks, while a greater number now face the ominous prospect of cross-border escalations,” he wrote.
The US President described the attacks as “successful”, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth saying they had “devastated the Iranian nuclear programme”.
“This mission was not and has not been about regime change," Hegseth said. "The president authorised a precision operation to neutralise the threats to our national interests posed by the Iranian nuclear programme."
Iran called the action “outrageous”, and warned that it would have “everlasting consequences.” It has held an emergency meeting, as Foreign Minster Abbas Araqchi said “all options” for retaliation are on the table.
Thus far, the nation has launched fire back at Israel – but stopped short of attacking a US army base, or halting its oil supply.
Archbishop Hosam is urging hope: “I extend an invitation to our fellow Anglicans across the wider Communion, as well as all those of goodwill, to intercede on our behalf, that we might collectively be strengthened to embody the role of peacemakers as mutual members of the larger Body of Christ.”