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The African Union (AU) has appealed for an urgent de-escalation following the coordinated US strike in Iran.
News Central earlier reported that Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Saturday morning. According to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the operation was launched in response to a “serious national security threat”.
The recent strike marked one of the most direct confrontations between the two countries, which have been long-standing rivals in recent years.
The AU, in a statement shared on Saturday, noted that its chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, is concerned by the reported military strikes carried out by the United States in coordination with Israeli forces against targets inside the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has intensified hostilities in the Middle East.
“The Chairperson calls for restraint, urgent de-escalation, and sustained dialogue, stressing that all parties must act fully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard international peace and security,” the statement read in part.
“The Chairperson warns that further escalation threatens to worsen global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience—particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.”
Youssouf also urged all the actors to prioritise diplomatic engagement to prevent further damage and uphold international laws.
