A delegation of US religious leaders who visited Iran last month says the "Iranian seizure of British naval personnel underscores in dramatic fashion our call for diplomatic relations" between the US and Iran.

A delegation of US religious leaders has returned from a week-long trip to Iran with a proposal for direct, government-to-government negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Some 45 religious leaders from Christian and Muslim faith backgrounds met with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on 20 September 2006, in an open discussion about the role religious communities can play in reversing the deepening crisis between Iran and the United States ñ writes Mark Beach, communications director of the North American relief and development agency Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

A leading US peace church theologian believes that Christian leaders might be able to assist a constructive dialogue around Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejadís recent letter to US President George W. Bush.

The continuing confusion of Christianity with the dominant assumptions and institutions of Western society is one of the main barriers to improved relations with Muslims, the UK think tank Ekklesia has suggested today.

The White House has publicly dismissed an extraordinary letter from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad which challenges President George W. Bushís attachment to Christian values by time-and-again asking how his warlike actions square up with the teachings of Jesus.