NEWS & POLITICS
African leaders react to U.S. strikes on Iran
The Israel-Iran conflict escalated early Sunday morning after the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Michael Oduor
Experts have warned that the long-standing effort to contain Iran's nuclear program through peaceful resolution is at stake following the escalations.
Iran responded with retaliatory strikes on the U.S. military base, Al Udeid, in Qatar. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated on Monday that Iran "will not surrender to violations."
Experts fear that oil prices could rise as Iran's state-owned Press TV reports that parliament has approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway used for about 20% of global oil transport.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, condemned the attack, calling for restraint and dialogue.
Photo from inside a house across a targeted residential building shows extensive damage in Tehran, Iran, on June 13. Saba/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Several African leaders have condemned the attacks. South African government urges dialogue and peaceful resolution through the United Nations. In a statement released on Sunday, the SA presidency also called for the inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment and broader nuclear capacity.
Iranian people gather at the scene of an explosion at a residential complex due to Israeli attacks in Tehran, Iran, on June 13. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Nigerian government has also been calling for an immediate end to the escalating violence between Israel and Iran.
Mauritania, meanwhile, issued a strong statement condemning the strikes as an "attack on Iranian sovereignty and a violation of the UN Charter."
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty warned that the ongoing conflict threatens regional stability. Badr was scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday but rescheduled his two-day visit hours after news of U.S. strikes. Sudan denounced the airstrikes, calling them "unjust aggression."
Some African countries maintain close ties with Israel and have refrained from passing condemnation. Regarding Iran's retaliation, Morocco's Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Iran's actions targeted the sovereignty and airspace of the State of Qatar, Morocco World News reports.
