Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed “deep concern” relating to the escalation of tensions within the Center East and has known as for restraint.
In a swift escalation of hostilities, on Saturday, 28 February 2026, Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones concentrating on Israeli territory and U.S. navy bases throughout the Center East.
The transfer was in retaliation for joint American-Israeli airstrikes that struck key Iranian management, navy installations, and nuclear services.
No less than 200 fatalities in Iran have been reported by the Iranian Scholar’s Information Company.
Commenting on the battle for the primary time, President Ramaphosa mentioned: “These developments pose a severe menace to regional and worldwide peace and safety, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and financial penalties”.
In a press release made obtainable to The Bulrushes, President Ramaphosa known as on all events to “train most restraint and to behave in a fashion in line with worldwide regulation, worldwide humanitarian regulation and the rules of the United Nations Constitution”.
Article 51 of the UN Constitution supplies for self-defence solely when a state has been subjected to an armed invasion.
Anticipatory self-defence shouldn’t be permitted below worldwide regulation, and self-defence can’t be based mostly on assumption or anticipation.
“Expertise has repeatedly demonstrated that there might be no navy answer to basically political issues that may and needs to be resolved diplomatically,” acknowledged Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to President Ramaphosa.
“Army confrontation has by no means delivered sustainable peace, nor has it addressed the reputable grievances that underlie battle.
“Lengthy-term peace and stability can solely be achieved by means of inclusive dialogue and a real dedication to justice and coexistence.”
President Ramaphosa, subsequently, reiterates his name for intensified diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and create house for continued significant negotiations, the spokesperson mentioned.
“We urge the worldwide group, together with multilateral establishments and regional companions, to redouble efforts geared toward selling mediation and peaceable decision,” mentioned President Ramaphosa.
“As a nation that has emerged from battle by means of dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa stays steadfast in its perception that peace shouldn’t be solely doable, however crucial for the shared way forward for the Center East and the world.”
In the meantime, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced help for the U.S. actions to forestall Iran from buying nuclear weapons, whereas Russia and China criticised the strikes as unprovoked aggression.
