uMkhonto weSizwe Party criticises US military strikes on Iran
Image: Atta Kenare / AFP
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has issued a stern condemnation of the United States' recent military assault on Iran's nuclear facilities, describing it as an unjustifiable act of aggression that threatens global peace and sovereignty.
In a statement released on Sunday, the MK Party denounced the attack carried out overnight against strategic sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow as a flagrant violation of international law and an escalation of unilateral military actions that undermine efforts toward diplomacy and stability.
According to the MK Party, the US strikes, which involved Tomahawk missiles and GBU-57 bunker-busters, lacked authorisation from the United Nations Security Council.
'This reckless act is not defence; it is an outright declaration of war against the Iranian people,' the statement declared.
'It disregards Iran's sovereignty and the principles of peace, self-determination, and non-intervention that underpin international law.'
The party highlighted the tragic irony of Western claims of 'deterrence,' pointing out that such military actions often mask imperial ambitions.
'This is not genuine security,' the MK Party stated. 'War disguised as diplomacy is an escalation that risks spiralling into broader regional conflict.'
Drawing parallels to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the MK Party recalled how false intelligence-specifically, specifically the alleged weapons of mass destruction, was used to justify a devastating war that claimed millions of lives.
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'Once again, we see Western powers manufacturing narratives to justify their imperial interventions,' said the party.
'Today, the target is Iran; tomorrow, it could be any nation that dares to challenge the global order dictated by the West.'
The MK Party called on the international community, particularly African nations, BRICS, and the Non-Aligned Movement, to reject this new wave of militarism.
'Diplomacy must be prioritised over violence,' the statement urged.
'Iran has the right to self-defence under the UN Charter, and we must reopen diplomatic channels to seek peaceful solutions.'
The party also urged accountability for the destruction and loss of civilian lives, adding that the ongoing violence threatens regional stability.
'As President Jacob Zuma once warned, 'The path of the powerful is not always the path of the just,'' the MK Party stated.
'We must stand against the arrogance of global powers who bomb nations under the guise of security while sowing insecurity everywhere.'
Expressing deep concern, the MK Party affirmed its support for oppressed peoples worldwide, including Palestinians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Congolese communities, and South Africans.
'The recent attack on Iran is part of a broader pattern of foreign aggression,' the statement read.
'We stand in solidarity with those resisting imperial domination and call for a united front rooted in justice and mutual respect.'
The MK Party warned of the dangers of escalation, including the potential disruption of vital trade routes and the threat of nuclear proliferation.
'This act could plunge the region- and the entire world- into deeper chaos,' it warned. 'Civilian casualties are inevitable, and prospects for peace are further diminished.'
The party also condemned Western media's role in shaping narratives that justify such aggression.
'Weeks ago, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa was falsely accused of 'white genocide,' a narrative pushed by the same interests now celebrating bombing Iran,' the statement pointed out.
'The same outlets demonised our land reform efforts and social progress, and now they vilify Iran-this is part of a pattern of distortion to justify imperial crimes.'
The MK Party called for African nations to take a moral stand.
'Africa must rise with clarity of purpose, reject neocolonial aggression, and advocate for a multipolar world grounded in Ubuntu, justice, and mutual respect,' the statement declared.
'This is not just about Iran; it is about every nation's right to sovereignty and dignity.'
The party reaffirmed its commitment to non-alignment, international law, and Pan-African diplomacy in pursuit of lasting peace.
'We pray for all innocent civilians caught in this conflict and for an end to the cycle of violence,' the statement concluded. 'The path forward is solidarity, resistance, and unwavering commitment to justice.'
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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