The Iranian embassy in South Africa has committed to working together with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to assist South Africans in Iran.
This follows strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, and the killing of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali-Khamenei, over the weekend.
Iran, meanwhile, has vowed retaliation, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Seyed Mostafa Daryabari, says Tehran will continue with the legacy of Ali-Khamenei of fighting for the country.
He says, “In the midst of this turmoil, we are deeply concerned about South African citizens who have found themselves in an unfortunate situation between these forces. Their safety is a priority and we are in direct communication with our officials in Iran to ensure their safe return.”
KHAMENEI
Political analyst Naeem Jeenah says the attack on Iran and Khamenei’s assassination signal that powerful nations can act without regard for international law.
Jeenah says, “The assassination of Ayatollah Khomeini will, you will know it’s made the Iranians angrier, you saw the statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps saying that, you know, they will respond in a way they’ve never responded before.”
“However, I don’t think that we should think that because of the assassination, you know, their whole strategy is going to change. The Iranians have a plan and they announced their plan beforehand for how they would respond if they were attacked by America and or Israel.”
Africa4Palestine has condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme.
The group slammed the attack as an act of aggression.
Africa4Palestine Communications Manager Alie Komape says, “Firstly, our deepest condolences to the millions of Iranians, who are in the streets mourning the brutal killing of the Ayatollah, the supreme leader of Iran, it’s unfortunate and we stand in solidarity with them in these difficult times.”
PODCAST | Interview with Komape on SAFM’s First Take:
SAUDI ARABIA
South African physician Dr. Naseeba Kathrada remains stranded in Saudi Arabia after regional airspace closures grounded her return flight on Sunday.
The travel disruption follows a massive joint US-Israeli military strike on Iran that resulted in the
However, Kathrada confirmed that she is currently in a secure location in Medina awaiting official word from her airline regarding a revised departure date.
“We are currently in Medina, my sister and I, we were supposed to have left on a 5 am flight to Doha and from Doha to Cape Town. We are supposed to be home at 5 pm. Currently, we are very concerned but not afraid. We feel very safe here, it’s just the uncertainty that’s causing us some anxiety and apprehension because you know we want to go home or we want to know that we are booked to go home and Qatar Airways is giving us absolutely no direction.”
MAKGOBA
The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba has called for urgent prayer and de-escalation following the strikes.
He says the conflict has brought devastating loss of life and heightened fears of a wider regional war across the Middle East.
Makgoba says the Anglican Church stands in solidarity with churches in the region and has echoed the pastoral appeal of the archbishop in Jerusalem Hosam Naoum, who has urged global prayer, protection of civilians and restraint from all leaders involved.
VIDEO | SABC speaks to South Africans stuck in the Middle East as war continues:
Additional reporting by Taresh Harreeparshad, Hoosen Ebrahim, Lerato Dlalisa and Bontle Motsoatsoe.
#Irans #embassy #works #DIRCO #assist #stranded #citizens #SABC #News
