Iran is not developing nuclear weapons and President Ahmadinejad believes in a negotiated settlement, according to a delegation of Christian leaders from the United States who recently traveled to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
They expressed their belief that military action is not the answer, and that "God calls us to just and peaceful relationships within the global community."
The delegation comprised a diverse group of Christian leaders from United Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Quaker, and Mennonite traditions.
They reported that they were warmly welcomed by the Iranian people, and that their time in Iran convinced them that religious leaders from both countries can help pave the way for mutual respect and peaceful relations between the two nations.
During our visit they met with Muslim and Christian leaders, government officials, and other Iranian people including the former President Khatami and current President Ahmadinejad.
The meeting with President Ahmadinejad, the first time an American delegation had met in Iran with an Iranian president since the Islamic revolution in 1979, lasted two-and-a-half hours and covered a range of topics, including the role of religion in transforming conflict, Iraq, nuclear proliferation, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The delegation claimed that what they found most encouraging from the meeting with President Ahmadinejad was a clear declaration from him that Iran has no intention to acquire or use nuclear weapons, as well as a statement that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be solved through political, not military means.
He said, "I have no reservation about conducting talks with American officials if we see some goodwill."
"They believe it is possible for further dialogue and that there can be a new day in U.S. - Iranian relations," the delegation stated. "The Iranian government has already built a bridge toward the American people by inviting our delegation to come to Iran. We ask the US government to welcome a similar delegation of Iranian religious leaders to the United States."
They called upon both the U.S. and Iranian governments to immediately engage in direct, face-to-face talks, cease using language that defines the other using "enemy" images, and promote more people-to-people exchanges, including religious leaders, members of Parliament/Congress, and civil society.
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