The US and its allies must "settle the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme through negotiations and not through the use of military force," stated the World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee meeting in Etchmiadzin, Armenia.

More than 100 religious leaders today (Wednesday) participated in an hour-long, interfaith encounter with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Church Centre for the United Nations.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has gone on al-Jazeera to appeal the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, whose kidnap in Gaza has been denounced by the Iranian government and galvanised media freedom activists.

Participants in a Christian delegation to Iran in February are urging congregations to light oil lamps as a reminder to pray for peace and for the people of Iran.