The South African chapter of the Anti Apartheid Movement is denouncing the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran as an “illegal war” and an act of “imperialist and expansionist aggression.”
In a statement by Reverend Frank Chikane, chairperson of the organization, the Movement asserts that the attacks have caused thousands of civilian casualties, including schoolchildren, displaced millions, and destroyed civilian infrastructure. It specifically cites an incident at a school in Minab on the first day of the offensive.
According to Chikane, the war was launched while Iran was engaged in negotiations with the U.S., with mediators reporting that a deal was “imminent.” He further notes that U.S. intelligence agencies had confirmed Iran was not close to building a nuclear weapon, did not intend to, and that no “imminent threat” existed against the United States.
The movement argues the strikes violate Articles 2 and 51 of the United Nations Charter, as well as UN General Assembly Resolution 3314, which defines wars of aggression as crimes against international peace.
The Movement accuses Israel of pursuing territorial expansionism under the concept of a “Greater Israel,” noting that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, has refused to sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, and has not submitted its nuclear installations to International Atomic Energy Agency inspection. It adds that, until February 2026, Israel had attacked or invaded seven neighboring countries.
Reverend Chikane also describes Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank as “genocide” and criticizes recent U.S. proposals regarding Gaza and sanctions on Cuba as attempts to restore colonial models.
The organization has called on the South African government to take an unambiguous position against the U.S. Israeli campaign, demand the dismantling of U.S. military bases in West Asia and Africa, impose sanctions on Israel, seek a unified BRICS position opposing the war, and develop a global consensus against U.S. “imperial adventures” and “Zionist expansionism.”