Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed “deep concern” over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, warning that the developments threaten both regional and global stability.
US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the United States had launched “major combat operations” against Iran, shortly after Israel confirmed it had carried out missile strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump said the US attacks were intended to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and cripple its navy, following repeated warnings from Washington and Tel Aviv that military action would follow if Tehran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and US-linked assets across the Middle East, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
BREAKING –
Iran becomes the first country to strike Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar in a single day pic.twitter.com/eaGTl45T5i
— Global UPDATES (@GlobalUpdates24) February 28, 2026
The escalation triggered widespread airspace closures across the region. Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates announced partial or full shutdowns of their skies, disrupting flights and leaving thousands of travellers — including passengers travelling to and from South Africa — stranded.
In a statement on Saturday, Ramaphosa said the situation posed “a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, with far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic and economic consequences”.
He called on all parties involved to exercise restraint and to adhere strictly to international legal frameworks.
“President Ramaphosa calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to act in a manner consistent with international law, international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” the statement read.
The President emphasised that Article 51 of the UN Charter permits self-defence only in cases where a state has been subjected to an armed invasion. “Anticipatory self-defence is not permitted under international law and self-defence cannot be based on assumption or anticipation,” the statement said.
Ramaphosa stressed that military action would not provide a lasting solution to political disputes.
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA CALLS FOR DIALOGUE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND CONDENMS INTERNATIONAL LAW VIOLATIONS
President @CyrilRamaphosa and the Government of the Republic of South Africa expresses deep concern regarding the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
These developments…
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) February 28, 2026
“Experience has repeatedly demonstrated that there can be no military solution to fundamentally political problems that can and should be resolved diplomatically. Military confrontation has never delivered sustainable peace, nor has it addressed the legitimate grievances that underlie conflict,” he said.
He reiterated South Africa’s longstanding position that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path to lasting peace.
“Long-term peace and stability can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and a genuine commitment to justice and coexistence,” Ramaphosa said.
The President urged the international community to intensify mediation efforts to prevent further escalation.
“We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution. As a nation that has emerged from conflict through dialogue and reconciliation, South Africa remains steadfast in its belief that peace is not only possible, but imperative for the shared future of the Middle East and the world,” he said.
The statement was issued by the Presidency in Pretoria.
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Source: AFP
