The ANC Sides with the Iranian Dictatorship, But Carefully

In my previous column I wondered aloud what South Africa’s position might be if the United States (US) were to strike Iran. That scenario came to pass on Saturday, when the US and Israel conducted strikes on Tehran that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as his son, who was considered an heir to the position, and other members of his family.

The action was unusual in that it commenced during the day, whereas such operations normally take place at night. However, because the Iranian leadership had convened an in-person meeting, a strike was ordered, which decapitated the senior leadership of the regime.

In the weeks and months leading up to the strike, Iran had been belittling and jabbing at President Donald Trump, while simultaneously clamping down violently on domestic protesters and killing tens of thousands, even as it requested negotiations. This is a favoured tactic of the regime: to drag out and exhaust its enemies in prolonged discussions.

However, it quickly became apparent that Iran was not prepared to concede on the key demands of the American administration — no nuclear enrichment, no ballistic missile development (which can already reach American bases in the Gulf and Europe, and could eventually reach the US itself), and no further funding of Iranian terror proxies such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.

Once it became clear that the regime was not serious about negotiations, such a massive build-up of American forces could not be withdrawn without a decisive outcome. A strike became a likely scenario.

Bombing Raids

In addition to targeting the leadership, bombing raids included nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile sites, and elements of the Iranian navy. This included the sinking of the corvette Naghdi, which had participated in naval exercises with South Africa earlier this year. The US also deployed B-2 stealth bombers, which were also used in Operation Midnight Hammer last year. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said they now control the skies over Iran, and American officials said it is likely that kinetic action may last for some time, potentially weeks.

Iran, however, has not been without a response. It has attempted to regionalise the war by firing drones and missiles at Arab countries hosting American bases, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, as well as other territories such as Cyprus. There was reported damage at Dubai Airport and the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Thus far, Iran has avoided targeting Turkey and Azerbaijan, which also host US military facilities.

Israel has also received attacks from drones and missiles, including strikes close to holy sites in Jerusalem and other civilian areas such as Beit Shemesh, where at least nine people have been killed. Israeli missile defence systems such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling were activated to intercept the incoming projectiles. In recent months, the IDF has also deployed the so-called Iron Beam, an anti-missile laser system. Hezbollah has also joined the fighting, drawing Lebanon into the fray. The Lebanese government has condemned Hezbollah, and the Israeli air force has struck the organisation’s military assets in Beirut.

The South African government’s official statement on the situation said: “We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution.” It also noted that “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 was critical of the attacks on Iran but measured, likely due to the current fractious relationship between South Africa and the US. However, it was followed by another, issued by South Africa in its capacity as co-chair of The Hague Group, calling an emergency meeting for tomorrow. This formation of countries seeks to target Israel in the international arena and, by extension, support for it by the US.

Fault Lines

Locally, reactions tended to reflect the fault lines within and outside the Government of National Unity on Iran that have been evident in previous rounds of escalation. The African National Congress issued a statement closely aligned with the governmental one, but also noted its “deep concern at the escalating tensions in the Middle East” and sent “condolences to the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran following reports of the passing of their Supreme Leader”. The statement did not mention the Ayatollah's long history of human rights abuses, including against women and children, his support for terror groups around the world, or his recent order to kill tens of thousands of protesters who were raising their voices about the state of the economy.

The Economic Freedom Fighters were more forthright, stating that it “condemns in the strongest terms the provocative, illegal and unjustified attacks on Iran”. The Patriotic Alliance said it had “deep concern at the sharp escalation of conflict in the Middle East over the past week, and the widening of attacks beyond the primary parties to the conflict”. The African Christian Democratic Party said, “It is regrettable that the Islamic Republic of Iran, with near-weapons grade uranium enrichment, refused to de-escalate during diplomatic negotiations and have also refused to stop their progress towards building nuclear weapons. The world must remember that the IRGC in Iran turned on its own people, and massacred over 32 000 unarmed Iranian citizens, within a few days. This is more people killed in days than those killed in one year in the Israeli/Gaza conflict.” Democratic Alliance MP Ian Cameron tweeted, “The removal of a regime and a supreme ‘leader’ that tortured, jailed and murdered its own innocent people is good news and should be celebrated with those who will experience their rightful freedom.”

At the level of civil society, the Iranian community in South Africa welcomed the military action, calling on the “Government of South Africa to immediately cease its political alignment with and support for this regime. Standing with the oppressor of the Iranian people is not a position of moral leadership; it is a betrayal of the very principles of freedom and human dignity.” They further stated that they “condemn unequivocally the Islamic regime’s 47 years of support for terrorism and regional chaos.”

The Muslim Judicial Council registered “its condemnation of the killing of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei”, and called for “an immediate, independent, and transparent international inquiry into the killing of Iran’s leader that examines both direct perpetrators and any states or entities that may have planned, assisted, enabled, or condoned the operation.” Several mosques held commemoration services for the Ayatollah.

However, the Jamiatul Ulama of KwaZulu-Natal said, “Iran became deeply involved in conflicts across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Its unwavering support for the deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stands out. Under Khamenei’s leadership, backing Assad was framed as a religious duty. Militias were mobilised and the Syrian conflict resulted in catastrophic loss of life, displacement, and destruction. Masaajid were altered, communities torn apart, and countless families left grieving. For many Syrians who endured these atrocities firsthand, the news of Khamenei’s death was met not with sorrow but with relief, even celebration!”

The South African Zionist Federation welcomed the strikes, stating that it was unacceptable for the regime to possess nuclear weapons and that it was time for the people of Iran to have their freedom. The Office of the Chief Rabbi also expressed support for the strikes and noted that the timing coincided with the biblical festival of Purim, when Queen Esther’s conduct saved the Jewish people from a Persian tyrant.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the strikes were necessary now since Iran had been building up its conventional arms caches to deter those who wished to interfere with its nuclear programme, which it was rebuilding. Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia have issued statements condemning the attacks on their territories and threatening responses should it continue.