Christian churches and international church organizations have voiced grave concern over the escalating armed conflict involving Iran, warning that the violence poses a direct threat to already fragile Christian communities across the Middle East.

The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need said a new wave of violence could prove fatal for Christian populations that have been weakened by years of instability and persecution. Executive President Regina Lynch cautioned that “a new spiral of violence could push already vulnerable communities to the point where survival becomes impossible.”

According to the organization, civilians inevitably suffer the most in times of war, and Christians are often among the most defenseless. Even in countries where Christians continue to live and practice their faith — including Iran — they face restrictions and discrimination, with converts particularly vulnerable to persecution.

In Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, small Christian communities that survived years of extremist violence are still struggling to rebuild. Many have emigrated, while those who remain are often elderly and impoverished. Another wave of destruction, Lynch warned, would be unbearable for them.

A call to prayer was issued by Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, in comments reported by Vatican News. He said that “war has literally knocked on the doors of the Church.” During one interview, a missile reportedly flew over his residence in Bahrain, with fragments landing near the newly built cathedral.

In several countries across the region — including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar — churches have temporarily closed. Worship services are being held online, and many believers have sought shelter as missile and drone strikes continue.

Despite the deteriorating security situation, church life persists. In Tehran, the Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of Orthodoxy was celebrated at St. Nicholas Cathedral. Attendance was limited due to missile attacks, but according to the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, the service concluded with a festive sermon.

The conflict has now entered its sixth day. Israel and the United States have carried out strikes on targets in Iran, Tehran, and Lebanon, while Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf region. Human rights sources report that civilian deaths in Iran have surpassed 1,000.

Church leaders are urging the international community to work toward an immediate cessation of violence. They stress that preserving the Christian presence in the Middle East is vital not only for the region but for global Christianity as a whole.

“Whatever the political developments,” Aid to the Church in Need stated, “the mission of the Church in the Middle East must continue.”