The government of South Africa has expressed its serious concern regarding the ongoing events in the Middle East, particularly in light of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel.

This comes after Israel launched an attack on Iran’s Embassy located in Damascus, Syria, on 1 April 2024.

As a response to the attack, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel last night. 

According to reports, Iran fired about 300 “killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles” in its first direct attack on Israel. 

Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has stated, that there is a “very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation”. 

“In this context, South Africa emphasises that all parties must exercise the utmost restraint and avoid any act that would escalate tensions in a particularly fragile region. 

“South Africa has continuously stressed that irrespective of whether states believe that their use of force is lawful, it is never wise to resort to war as inevitably, it is ordinary people who bear the brunt of conflict,” the Department of International and Relations Cooperation (DIRCO) said on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, DIRCO has called on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to act in pursuit of sustainable and just peace for all people. 

“While we turn our attention to these developments, let us not forget that the war in Gaza continues with devastating humanitarian consequences for its people. 

“An immediate ceasefire and urgent humanitarian access are required. The proliferation of global conflicts will continue if we, as the international community, do not commit ourselves to the ending of war and the establishment of conditions under which justice and respect for international law are maintained.”

However, the department said that as long as there is impunity for unlawful acts, war and injustice will continue.