Lamola talks with Iran’s Araghchi on Middle-East war
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola on Thursday said he spoke with his Iranian counterpart to express South Africa’s concerns amid the ongoing conflict in the region.
In a statement published on social media platform X, Lamola said that during the telephonic engagement, he expressed South Africa’s profound concern over the escalating loss of civilian lives and the worsening humanitarian situation.
“Following extensive consultations with several of my counterparts in Gulf nations currently impacted by the prevailing instability in the Middle East, I held a substantive discussion with the Iranian Foreign Minister, His Excellency Abbas Araghchi,” the minister confirmed.
Pretoria has continually called for an end to the violence since Washington unleashed a salvo of missiles on Tehran early last month.
In retaliation, Iran targeted US military bases where it believes the missiles were being launched from.
“We reaffirmed our call for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities. South Africa remains steadfast in its position that the only viable path forward is through diplomatic engagement and a commitment to a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to the conflict, in accordance with international law,” Lamola reiterated.
Following extensive consultations with several of my counterparts in Gulf nations currently impacted by the prevailing instability in the Middle East, I held a substantive discussion with the Iranian Foreign Minister, His Excellency Abbas Araghchi.
— Minister: International Relations and Cooperation (@RonaldLamola) April 2, 2026
In our exchange, I expressed… pic.twitter.com/bbwatWHzqt
TRUMP SAYS US FORCES YET TO START 'DESTROYING WHAT'S LEFT' IN IRAN
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump announced the US army was eyeing more of Iran’s critical infrastructure for destruction.
US forces have yet to begin "destroying what's left in Iran," Trump warned late Thursday, as he said more of the country's bridges and energy infrastructure were in his sights.
The US military "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform several hours after he said Iran's tallest bridge had been destroyed.
READ MORE: Trump to address nation as Iran war batters approval
Trump has repeatedly stated that the vast majority of major military targets in Iran have already been damaged or destroyed over the past month of war.
Iran's "New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!", Trump said, seemingly referring to his call for Tehran to strike a deal with Washington that will bring about a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, the United Nations' Security Council has postponed a vote scheduled for Friday on authorizing the use of "defensive" force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, according to the official program.
The 15-member body was set to vote Friday morning on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain, but by Thursday night, the schedule shifted.
The reason given was that the United Nations observes Good Friday as a public holiday, according to diplomatic sources, despite this fact being known when the vote was first announced.
Additional reporting by AFP
