South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has voiced strong concern over the United States’ decision to join Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, warning of the risk of a full-scale regional war. Speaking from Pretoria on Monday, Ramaphosa called for urgent de-escalation and a return to diplomacy, emphasizing the role of the United Nations in resolving the crisis. Ramaphosa urged Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran to “give the United Nations the opportunity and space to broker a peaceful solution” to the worsening conflict, which has already destabilized parts of the Middle East and drawn international condemnation.
On Sunday, the U.S. launched a coordinated strike alongside Israeli forces on key Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting an emergency session of the UN Security Council at Iran’s request. The military action marks the most direct U.S. intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict to date. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “gravely alarmed” by the development, warning that the U.S. bombing of nuclear infrastructure represented a “perilous turn in a region already reeling from years of instability.”
“Two days ago, in this very chamber, I made a direct appeal: give peace a chance. That call was not heeded,” Guterres told the Council. “We are now on a dangerous path of retaliation after retaliation, and the people of the Middle East cannot endure another cycle of destruction.
Global responses to the U.S. strikes have been mixed. Russia and China condemned the use of force, calling it a violation of international law, while France and Germany expressed concerns about a wider conflict. The United Kingdom called for calm but echoed U.S. concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Tehran has vowed to defend itself “by all means necessary” against what it described as military aggression by the U.S. and Israel, fueling fears of a broader confrontation that could affect global oil supplies and trigger unrest across the region.
Ramaphosa’s comments reflect growing African and Global South unease over the escalation. South Africa has long advocated for multilateral conflict resolution and supports the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The presidency confirmed that South Africa will push for a stronger peace mandate at the upcoming African Union Peace and Security Council meeting. “The international community must not sit idly by while another devastating war unfolds. We urge restraint, dialogue, and respect for international law,” Ramaphosa said.
