Online Reporter
Ranga Mataire-Group Political Editor
Nearly a week after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead by the United States, Iran continues to strike US assets across the Gulf region.
Caught in the conflict are countries like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday at a time when Washington and Tehran were engaged in diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear programme.
The attacks on Iran have failed to paralyse the Middle East country, which since the death of its Supreme Leader has managed to retaliate by launching missile and drone attacks across the region, including targets in Israel as well as US military assets in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
As tensions continue to escalate, the African Union has issued a statement calling the parties involved to de-escalate and give talks a chance.
African Union Commission chairperson, His Excellency Mahamoud Ali Youssouf expressed concern on the military strikes carried out by the United States in coordination with Israeli forces against targets inside the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Mr Youssouf warned that further escalation was threatening global stability, with serious implications for energy markets, food security, and economic resilience — particularly in Africa, where conflict and economic pressures remain acute.
What has happened so far?
• Quasi-official Iranian news agency Mehr, reported that more than 20 people were killed in an attack on Niloofar Square in Tehran.
• US President Donald Trump contradicted the number saying 48 people were killed, including Iranian leaders.
• After seven days of fighting, officials report that nearly 800 people have been killed in Iran, and 50 in Lebanon.
• Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told local media today (Monday) that Canberra does not intend to join the US-Israel military campaign against Iran.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli pilots are flying over Iran and Tehran, stating that Israel will continue to strike the country “with force”.
• China has urged for an immediate ceasefire. The country’s Foreign Affairs Ministry expressed concern over the strikes and urged all sides to avoid escalation and resume dialogue. In a statement on Sunday, China said Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.
• On Sunday, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government had accepted a request from the US to allow UK military bases to be used for “defensive” strikes on Iran aimed at stopping retaliatory missile strikes. The UK has two Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in Cyprus- Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
• Iran responded shortly after midnight on Monday with a drone strike at UK’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri.
Gulf Nations: Their reactions
• Explosions were heard in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, as well as in Qatar’s capital, Doha
• Qatar said it has stopped using Patriot defence system in intercepting missiles and drones in its airspace. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said it is now deploying fighter planes to shoot them down over the waters of the Gulf.
• Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the oil tanker MKD VYOM was attacked by an explosive-laden boat 52 nautical miles off Muscat’s coast, causing a fire and engine-room explosion that killed at least one crew member.
• Kuwaiti on Monday said its air defences had “confronted and intercepted” a “number of hostile aerial targets at dawn” over central parts of the country.
• Citing an unnamed witness, Reuters reported a plume of smoke near the US Embassy in Kuwait.
• On Sunday evening, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said Iran had targeted a maritime facility near the Mina Salman port in the capital, Manama.
• Qatar Airways, the Qatari flag carrier, said its flights remain suspended due to the ongoing closure of the country’s airspace.
• More missiles from Iran targeted Israel and the country’s air defences were operating to intercept them.
United States’ reaction
• On Sunday, the US military announced that three service members had been killed during its operation against Iran, the country’s first casualties although Iran said more have been killed.
• In a video posted on his Truth Social platform, President Trump promised to avenge the three American soldiers killed in Iranian attacks, and warned of more casualties.
• President Trump said combat operations would continue until “objectives are achieved”
Impact on World Trade
• Oil prices have already risen since Iran announced its intention to close the Strait.
• Ships are rerouting via Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, because Iran’s allies, the Yemeni Houthis, have announced that they will close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea to US and Israeli ships.
• The impact of Iran’s retaliatory strikes for global trade, oil, prices and inflation could be high if the war continues.
Impact on Africa
• The escalating conflict is sending shockwaves across Africa, with far-reaching implications for fuel prices, trade, and economic stability.
• Already the conflict has led to a surge in global oil prices with Brent crude jumping over 8 percent to around $80 per barrel. This could translate to higher fuel costs for oil-importing countries like Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa.
• Global supply chains are being disrupted with cargo ships stuck in the Gulf or taking longer routes around Africa’s Cape. This might lead to shortages and price increases for goods like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and fertilisers.
Navigating a Unipolar World
As the continent navigates this complex landscape, experts urge African leaders to prioritise diplomacy and economic resilience.
Africa’s response must involve massive mobilisation of public opinion and seek concrete alliance with Russia or China. The idea of creating a continental armed force should now jump from conference room communiques to reality.
The continent need to invest heavily in science, technology and innovation in developing an African defence industry.
The resurgence of ‘might’ is ‘right’ confronts Africans in the face.
The time calls upon Africa to act together as one as collective action is more powerful and provides greater assurance of success, security and protection than acting in isolation.
