The UN Liaison Office of the World Council of Churches and Mennonites have co-sponsored an international dialogue between some 300 religious leaders and political figures - including Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been invited to a dinner put on by American religious leaders during his visit to the United Nations, scheduled for 25 September 2008.

After delegates to the Church of Scotland's general assembly gathered on 15 May they were urged to support a call for Britain and the US to preserve Middle East peace and take no further action that could lead to an invasion of Iran.

The Church of Scotland’s General Assembly which meets in a week's time, is to hear an appeal to the UK Government to look to the young population of Iran, to bring about change within the country.

The global human rights group Amnesty International has called on the government of Iran to immediately abolish the "grotesque and horrific" practice of publicly stoning people to death.

Iran has refused to renew the visa of a British journalist based in Tehran, forcing him to leave the country. They have aid they will accept a "suitable replacement". The move reflects continuing tension between Iran and the West.

A report from United States intelligence agencies has undermined those close to the White House who have been arguing for unilateral military action against Iran by saying that Tehran halted its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.

US Catholic Bishops have said that while the prospect of Iran developing nuclear weapons is unacceptable, in the absence an immediate threat, the USA and other nations must pursue a diplomatic solution to the present confrontation.