The African Union has expressed deep concern over Friday’s Israeli airstrikes on Iran, describing the development as a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region.
In a statement released by the African Union Commission, Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged all involved parties to immediately halt military actions and exercise the highest level of restraint.
He warned that the situation could spiral into a broader conflict, threatening not only regional peace but also global stability.
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According to reports, Israel launched a major offensive early Friday, hitting roughly 100 locations across Iran. Explosions were heard in the capital, Tehran, as Israeli forces reportedly targeted facilities tied to Iran’s nuclear and military programs.
State media in Iran confirmed casualties, including the commander of the country’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and several senior nuclear scientists.
The attack comes amid growing friction between the two nations, with Israel increasingly alarmed by the progress of Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Although Tehran has consistently insisted its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, Israel has accused Iran of moving closer to developing a nuclear weapon — a threat it says it cannot ignore.
Intelligence assessments from the United States have not found direct evidence that Iran is building a bomb, but the situation remains tense.
Friday’s strike marks a significant shift in Israel’s approach, pushing the region closer to open confrontation.
The African Union’s leadership emphasized that such military actions only deepen the crisis and jeopardize efforts toward peace in the Middle East.
The Commission called on international partners to encourage dialogue rather than confrontation and to help de-escalate the unfolding crisis.
This latest round of violence has added to global fears of a wider conflict drawing in multiple nations. With both sides unwilling to back down and rhetoric intensifying, observers worry that the coming days could see even more instability.
