South Africa offers to mediate in in Israel-Iran war if asked

South Africa is ready to help mediate the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran if formally requested, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday, urging an immediate ceasefire and dialogue to prevent further loss of life and regional instability.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba conference in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said Pretoria remains committed to supporting peace efforts under the United Nations framework.

“South Africa is always ready to play a contributing role, either in mediation or whatever. And if a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to our obligations,” Ramaphosa said in remarks broadcast by Newzroom Afrika.

He stressed that dialogue remains the most effective path to ending hostilities.

“There must be a ceasefire. Dialogue is always the best way of ending conflict and then ending the war. And we want this war to come to an end immediately,” he said.

Regional tensions raise global alarm

The conflict has intensified following large-scale strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, prompting retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Tehran. The escalation has heightened fears of a broader regional confrontation.

Ramaphosa described the situation as “calamitous” and warned that the violence could spread beyond the Middle East.

“The world is facing a very dangerous period at the moment,” he said, adding that South Africa has conveyed its concern and condolences to affected countries in the region.

The president said South Africa’s government is working to assist its citizens stranded in the region and will seek to repatriate them once airspace reopens and travel conditions are safe.

He cautioned that Africa is already experiencing economic strain from the conflict, citing rising energy prices and pressure on supply chains.

Ramaphosa noted that previous global crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed the vulnerabilities of import-dependent African economies.

He called for stronger regional cooperation and greater energy diversification to shield the continent from future geopolitical shocks.

AGENCIES