The African Union has called for calm and diplomacy following military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, cautioning that escalating tensions could have serious global consequences, including for African nations.
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, head of the pan-African body, appealed “for restraint, urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue”.
“Further escalation risks worsening global instability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience – particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.”
The joint military operation began with reports of smoke rising over Tehran after strikes that Israel described as pre-emptive. Shortly afterward, US President Donald Trump released a surprise video statement on his Truth Social platform, announcing American combat operations in Iran aimed at “eliminating imminent threats”.
Smoke was visible over Tehran’s Pasteur district, home to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, amid a heavy security presence across the capital. US and Israeli officials said their actions were focused on Iranian military facilities.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to civilians located near military infrastructure across Iran, stating the operation followed months of coordinated planning between the two allies.
In southern Iraq, a bombing targeting a military base linked to a pro-Iran group reportedly killed at least two people. Explosions were also heard near the US consulate in Erbil.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced they had targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain after launching an initial wave of missile and drone strikes against Israel.
“The first wave of widespread missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the occupied territories has begun,” the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement.
In Israel, Magen David Adom emergency services said a man in the north of the country was being treated for blast injuries after missiles were launched from Iran.
Iran’s foreign ministry said it would “respond decisively” to the strikes, maintaining that Tehran had done “everything necessary to prevent war” from breaking out.
“Just as we were ready for negotiations, we are now more prepared than ever to defend the Iranian nation,” the ministry added.
Reports of explosions quickly spread across the Gulf region. Journalists in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, as well as in Manama and Doha, reported hearing loud blasts.
The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted Iranian missiles and reserved its right to respond. Residents in Abu Dhabi, which hosts a US military base, also reported hearing explosions.
Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed it intercepted several missile attacks, while Kuwait also engaged incoming strikes. Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian attacks on neighbouring states but did not indicate that it had been directly targeted.
Jordan said it shot down two ballistic missiles heading toward its territory.
International reactions followed swiftly. The UK government warned that the situation risked spiralling into a broader Middle East conflict.
“We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict,” a government spokesperson said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for US actions. Ukraine said the Iranian government’s “violence against its own people and other countries” had triggered the strikes.
The European Union described developments in Iran as “perilous” and called for the protection of civilians.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that Lebanon would not allow itself to be drawn into war, while Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev criticised Washington, saying it had “shown its true face”.
As tensions continue to rise, global leaders are urging restraint amid growing fears of a wider regional confrontation.
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