How Catholics should talk about Iran
A 5-minute Guide to Just War and the Iran Strikes
Since the bombing of Iran this weekend, Catholics have been debating: Was this an act of “Just War?”
But the nature of war itself—chaotic with confusing motives and propagandistic messaging—makes it hard to tell if an act of violence is just.
To help Catholics discuss this, I put together a 5-minute guide on applying Just War to the Iran strike.
What happened in Iran
Here’s some background for those unfamiliar
In June 2025, Israel launched a 12-day military campaign to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. The United States and Israel had previously warned that strikes would continue if Iran continued its program.
Following those strikes, the Iranian economy spiraled out of control. This sparked nationwide protests, which the Iranian government answered with violent repression.
The U.S. and Iran engaged in negotiations. The demands from the United States were clear: Iran must completely end its nuclear program, missile program, and halt support for foreign terror groups.
Despite reports of a potential breakthrough, the U.S. concluded that Iran was simply buying time.
So, last weekend, the United States and Israel launched a massive, joint military campaign. Their strikes targeted Tehran, missile infrastructure, military capabilities, and leadership compounds, including the residence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran immediately retaliated, firing drones and ballistic missiles at Israel and at U.S. military bases stationed in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE.
Was this strike just?
Naturally, when there is military action anywhere in the world, Catholics debate the idea of “Just War.” Catholic Social Teaching does not assume war is automatically evil and has a set of principles to determine when war is justified. There are a few ways to break down CCC 2309.
Just Cause
Last Resort
Prospect of Success
Proportionality of Evils
Right Intention
Legitimate Authority
Catholics need to be able to look at world events like this with sobriety and discuss them without bias. And I mean discuss them. With people that you know. In real life.
These events lead to a more disembodied life, as Pope Leo has called it. We’re glued to our phones or podcasts listening for updates and looking for the “right opinions,” angrily replying to the people who listen to different news outlets, flabbergasted that they don’t agree with us.
But the Church calls us to something better.
We are called to live life in the real world and, if we really care about these events, discuss them.
Let’s look at the facts on the ground, and then let’s look at how Church Teaching should guide our discussion.
A Catholic Social Teaching Discussion Guide on the Iran Strike
The following guide utilizes the classical Just War tradition (Jus ad Bellum) to frame our conversations. Each section provides the theological principle, followed by pointed questions for reflection.
