South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has voiced his profound worry regarding the United States’ recent involvement in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. His comments follow Washington’s decision to join Israel’s bombing campaign targeting Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday.
Ramaphosa urgently called upon the US, Israel, and Iran to grant the United Nations “the opportunity and space” necessary to broker a peaceful resolution to the intensifying conflict.
The US attack has elicited a mixed international response from world leaders. While some have outright condemned the strikes, others have expressed deep fears of a wider conflict, even as they acknowledge the perceived threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear program.
On Sunday, the UN Security Council convened an exceptional emergency meeting, requested by Iran, to deliberate on the implications of the US strikes. During the meeting, UN chief Antonio Guterres stated he was “gravely alarmed” by Washington’s use of force.
“Two days ago, in this very chamber, I made a direct appeal. Give peace a chance. That call was not heeded,” he said.
He described the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as a “perilous turn in a region that is already reeling”.
“From the outset of the crisis. I have repeatedly condemned any military escalation in the Middle East,” Guterres said.
As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, Iran has declared its unwavering commitment to “defend itself by all means” against perceived military aggression from the United States and Israel. In response, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, issued a stark warning, emphasising that the region’s people “cannot endure another cycle of destruction.”
Guterres strongly cautioned against falling into the “rat hole of retaliation after retaliation,” underscoring the critical need for diplomacy to prevail. His comments highlight the international community’s growing concern over the escalating violence and the urgent plea for all parties to de-escalate tensions.
