The African Union Commission has condemned military strikes the United States in coordination with Israel carried out against targets inside the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing the development as a dangerous escalation in the Middle East.
In a statement issued Saturday, The Chairperson of the Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, made the confirmation in a statement on Saturday.
Youssouf said he is “deeply 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, an escalation that marks a serious intensification of hostilities in the Middle East.”
Youssouf called for “restraint, urgent de-escalation, and sustained dialogue,” adding that “all parties must act fully in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter to safeguard international peace and security.”
The Commission said the renewed war could have severe global consequences, particularly for vulnerable regions.
He said “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.”
The Chairperson called on the parties to return to the table and support ongoing mediation initiatives.
He asked “all concerned actors to prioritise diplomatic engagement, including ongoing international mediation efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman, to prevent further deterioration and uphold the international rules-based order.”
Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s stance, he, saying “sustainable peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, not through force.”
