Iran’s ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, has thanked South Africa for its continued support of the Islamic Republic.
Speaking at a press conference hosted by the Cape Town Ulema Board, Mehr emphasised the importance of South Africa’s support, arguing that the country’s repeated statements of condemnation have assisted the Iranian cause.
Since the onset of the conflict on 28 February, President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) have been steadfast in their support for the Islamic Republic and in their denunciation of aggression by the United States and Israel.
Days after statements of solidarity from the country’s president, US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Bezells II said that the United States was concerned about South Africa’s relationship with “some of America’s adversaries”.
In response, DIRCO summoned the ambassador to answer for his remarks, with the department’s Director-General, Zane Dangor, stating that South Africa’s “non-alignment” dictates that relationships are based on international law and decided on a case-by-case basis.
“As a sovereign state and a significant middle power, South Africa’s foreign policy is anchored in our constitutional commitment to multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes. South Africa’s non-alignment does not entail a preference for any geopolitical bloc. Rather, it represents our ability to engage all international partners and take positions on a case-by-case basis, guided by international law. We remain steadfast in our resistance to being drawn into great-power rivalries, prioritising instead a global governance system that is fair and inclusive,” clarified Dangor.
Iran’s ambassador has welcomed the president’s statements and DIRCO’s actions regarding the US ambassador, noting that the national interests of the country are consistent from the government to the general populace.
“We really appreciate the strong stance of DIRCO in response to the unlawful and illogical request to cut off the relationship between South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran. I strongly believe the national interest of South Africa is created and supported by both the administration and the people,” the Iranian ambassador said.
The Iranian embassy has urged the country to continue using its position as a middle power to influence the United States and Israel to cease their actions, with the Ambassador stating:
“We ask the Republic of South Africa to use its influence to push the aggressors to stop their actions. We also ask the people of South Africa to show their solidarity with the Republic of Iran and to demonstrate to the global community their strong will in opposing the aggression.”
Photo: VOCFm
