Image Source: Al Jazeera
World – Despite the United States and Israel drawing first blood by bombing and initiating strikes on Iran, European leaders have distanced themselves from the military action while stopping short of condemning it.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement acknowledging the strikes but clarifying they played no role in them.
The three nations confirmed they are in close contact with international partners, including the United States, Israel, and regional partners.
While reiterating their commitment to regional stability and the protection of civilian life, the European powers placed significant blame on Tehran, condemning Iranian attacks on countries in the region. They called on Iran to end indiscriminate military action and return to the negotiating table.
“We did not participate in these strikes, but are in close contact with our international partners, including the United States, Israel, and partners in the region. We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life.”
Britain Opens Its Bases to the US
The United Kingdom’s role in the conflict deepened when Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that Britain had agreed to allow the United States to use two of its military bases to strike Iranian missile sites.
Starmer cited Iran’s increasingly reckless conduct and the direct risk posed to British lives abroad as the basis for the decision.
With approximately 200,000 British nationals in Middle Eastern countries, Starmer argued that the threat could no longer be managed through diplomacy alone. He described the use of British bases as a targeted and defensive measure.
“The only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles.”
Britain stated it was acting in the collective self-defence of regional allies who had formally requested support. British jets were confirmed to be airborne as part of coordinated defensive operations that had already intercepted Iranian strikes.
“We have taken the decision to accept this request — to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region… killing innocent civilians… putting British lives at risk… and hitting countries that have not been involved.”
President Ramaphosa Calls for Restraint
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for restraint from all parties as the conflict showed no signs of slowing.
The Presidency expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions, warning of far-reaching humanitarian, diplomatic, and economic consequences for the region and the broader international community.
Ramaphosa pointed to Article 51 of the UN Charter, which permits self-defence only in response to an armed invasion, arguing that anticipatory self-defence has no basis under international law.
He called for intensified diplomatic efforts and a genuine commitment to negotiation, stopping short of directly naming the United States or Israel as aggressors.
“We urge the international community, including multilateral institutions and regional partners, to redouble efforts aimed at promoting mediation and peaceful resolution.”
The EFF Issue Their Strongest Condemnation
The Economic Freedom Fighters described the strikes as an act of imperialism driven by an agenda that extends beyond any nuclear dispute.
While President Ramaphosa called for restraint from all parties, the EFF argued that a measured response fell short of what the moment demanded, calling on the South African government to go further and issue an unequivocal condemnation of the United States and Israel.
Carl Niehaus, Member of Parliament for the Economic Freedom Fighters, argued that Iran had gone to considerable lengths to avoid confrontation, engaging in diplomatic negotiations and adhering to international nuclear agreements. He said the nuclear framing was a pretext for a broader objective.
“Iran has been bending over backwards to engage in negotiations with the United States of America and has complied with all the provisions of the international nuclear proliferation provisions.”
Niehaus said statements made by President Donald Trump pointed directly to a goal of dismantling the Iranian government, not addressing nuclear concerns. He described the call on Iranian citizens to turn against their own leadership as particularly egregious.
“Trump’s statement makes it very clear that he is dealing here with the intention of the United States of America to bring the revolutionary Islamic government of Iran to [an end].”
Niehaus warned that the conflict could spread well beyond the Middle East and urged South Africa and the global community not to treat the moment lightly.
“This is a war that can totally spin out of control. It can go outside the region — terrible as it is — and it can indeed endanger the safety of the whole of our world.”
