South Africa has expressed strong concern over the rising tensions in the Middle East, following a series of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In a statement released on Sunday, the South African presidency described the developments as a source of “a great deal of anxiety,” emphasizing the urgent need for diplomacy over military action.
The presidency urged U.S. President Donald Trump to use his leadership and the influence of his administration to encourage all parties involved—namely the United States, Iran, and Israel—to engage in meaningful dialogue. Pretoria underscored its “sincerest hope” that diplomatic channels would be prioritized to resolve the current disputes, rather than further military escalation.
South Africa also called on all three nations to allow the United Nations the necessary scope to lead efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution. This includes granting international inspectors the ability to monitor and verify Iran’s nuclear activities, especially concerning its uranium enrichment program and related capabilities.
The statement came in response to a major military operation launched by the United States over the weekend. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday that American forces had conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, describing the operation as “very successful.” According to officials, the strikes involved the deployment of six bunker-buster bombs from B-2 stealth bombers against Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo facility. In addition, dozens of submarine-launched cruise missiles targeted key sites at Natanz and Isfahan.
These actions mark a significant escalation in tensions between the U.S. and Iran and form part of a broader military campaign initiated by Israel on June 13, with support from Washington. In response to the strikes, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets, heightening fears of a wider regional conflict.
South Africa’s statement reflects growing international alarm over the potential consequences of further military engagement in the region. Pretoria’s appeal to global leadership and multilateral institutions highlights the country’s consistent position in favor of peaceful conflict resolution and international cooperation.