Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Shakib Mehr, has condemned the recent violence in the Middle East, accusing the United States and Israel of carrying out unjustified attacks on Iran.
The US and Israel described their 28 February attacks as “pre-emptive”, targeting key sites including a nuclear compound, and claiming the lives of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior figures.
Mehr claims the attacks took place while Iran was engaged in talks to prove it was not pursuing nuclear weapons.
Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria earlier this week, Mehr said there was no justification for US-Israel attacks.
[WATCH] Iran’s ambassador to South Africa Shakib Mehr says the US-Israel attacks are a betrayal of dialogue as they happened at a time when Iran was engaged in negotiations to prove it was not pursuing nuclear weapons. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/lSu4dL1BKy
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 4, 2026
WATCH | Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, says the aggressive action by the United States and Israel was not only an attack on Iran but on the entire region. pic.twitter.com/JZL39Gqsik
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 4, 2026
He also characterised the over 1,000 reported deaths as a severe breach of international norms.
[WATCH] Iran’s ambassador to South Africa Shakib Mehr says the US-Israel attacks represent dangers and an unprecedented violation of international norms, undermining sovereign equality and setting a reckless precedent. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/CJIoiJn7wl
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 4, 2026
Mehr further called on the international community to respond to the developments, urging the United Nations Security Council to take action.
[WATCH] “We expected the UN Security Council and all member states to fulfil their responsibility in preserving international peace and security,” says Iran’s ambassador to South Africa Shakib Mehr. He called for practical demonstrations opposing the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.… pic.twitter.com/UVhqNY3tjC
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 4, 2026
He also expressed confidence that Tehran would pursue accountability for the strikes, stating that Iran would seek to hold both the United States and Israel responsible.
WATCH | Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, has expressed confidence that Tehran will hold both the United States and Israel accountable for their actions. pic.twitter.com/bdXkTNFMIQ
— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 4, 2026
Meanwhile, Mehr indicated that Iran would assist South Africans stranded in the Middle East with evacuation efforts.
