South Africa warns of ‘far-reaching’ fallouts after US-Israel strikes on Iran

FILE PHOTO: G20 foreign ministers' meeting, in Johannesburg

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks to members of the media on the sidelines of the meeting of the G20 foreign ministers, which is hosted by South Africa under the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability", at the NASREC conference centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 20, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Source: REUTERS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has voiced “deep concern” over the conflict in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran and Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks across the region.

In a statement, the presidency warned that the developments “pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences.”

“These developments pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences,” the statement read in part.

Ramaphosa urged “all parties to exercise maximum restraint” and to act in line with international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. The statement also stressed that UN Charter provisions on self-defence apply when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion, adding that “anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law.”

The warning comes as the US-Israel operation triggered Iranian retaliation, with missile and drone attacks reported against targets linked to the US and Israel across parts of the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional war.

The fighting has also disrupted air travel, with multiple countries closing or restricting their airspace and major hubs suspending flights, stranding travellers and forcing airlines to reroute services.

This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.

Portia Etornam Kornu [email protected]