The South African government has issued a formal statement expressing grave concern over the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, particularly following recent military strikes by the United States. Emphasising the importance of diplomacy, South Africa has urged all involved parties to commit to dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations.
In a statement released by the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed alarm over Washington’s military intervention, specifically targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure. “President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government have noted with a great deal of anxiety the entry by the United States of America into the Israel-Iran war,” the statement read.
The intervention referenced by Pretoria followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Saturday that American forces had conducted coordinated strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran—namely Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. These facilities are well-documented in international nuclear monitoring reports as key elements of Iran’s uranium enrichment infrastructure.
This U.S. action comes in response to Israeli air raids initiated on 13 June, which targeted multiple sites across Iran, including military installations and nuclear research facilities. The Israeli strikes are reported to have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of senior Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Iran’s retaliatory measures have included missile and drone strikes directed at Israeli urban and military targets.
As of the latest reports from the Iranian Health Ministry, over 400 individuals have been confirmed dead with an additional 3,500 injured across various provinces in Iran. In contrast, Israeli authorities have recorded 24 fatalities resulting from Iranian counterstrikes.
Against this backdrop of escalating violence, South Africa has called upon all involved states—namely the United States, Israel, and Iran—to pursue a peaceful resolution through international mechanisms. The statement highlights the critical role of the United Nations in mediating such crises and overseeing the inspection and verification of nuclear activities. “South Africa calls on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran’s status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity,” the statement affirmed.
South Africa’s position aligns with its long-standing commitment to multilateral diplomacy, non-alignment, and nuclear non-proliferation, as reflected in its historical role in advocating for disarmament at the United Nations and the African Union. Pretoria’s call for the restoration of diplomacy reiterates the urgency for calm and negotiation amidst a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.
The international community now faces mounting pressure to intervene constructively. The UN Security Council has yet to release a unified response, although consultations are reportedly underway to address the unfolding crisis. The stakes are high, not only for regional stability in the Middle East but also for the global non-proliferation regime.
