The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has welcomed the interim agreement between Iran and six world powers reached in Geneva, Switzerland on 24 November. Tveit prayed for the agreement to become “a sign of hope in a region where many yearn for peace.”

The WCC general secretary expressed appreciation to the diplomats, whom he said, participated in a “patient dialogue to create an opening in a wall that has isolated Iran for more than 30 years.”

Tveit urged all parties to “use the agreed upon six-month span of confidence-building to reach toward a longer-term horizon for improved relations and mutual obligations which all the countries involved need.”

Tveit added that the agreement is a reminder of “how important the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is for peace in the world, and particularly in the Middle East”.

“May God help all of us to continue our efforts towards a future without nuclear weapons,” Tveit concluded.