ANC's Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane signs a condolence book at the Iranian Embassy on 05 March 2026.
Image: Picture: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Iran declared on Thursday that since fighting started on Saturday, 1,230 people have died as a result of US and Israeli strikes on the nation.
Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs released the death toll in a statement on their website. According to Xinhua, Iran's Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that the strikes had injured 6 186 people.
In a post on social media site X, Hossein Kermanpour, the head of the ministry's Public Relations and Information Center, stated that 2,054 individuals were admitted to hospitals, 3 545 were treated and released, and 552 received on-site medical attention.
According to Iranian officials, Israel and the United States jointly attacked Tehran and several other Iranian cities on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with members of his family, senior military officials, and civilians.
Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US assets across the Middle East.
On Wednesday, Iran indicated it is willing to assist with the evacuation of South African citizens stranded in parts of the Middle East as fighting intensifies in the region.
Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, said on Wednesday night that Iranian authorities stand ready to support evacuation efforts if required.
Speaking during a media briefing on the escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, the ambassador said South Africa should prioritise the safety of its citizens.
“We hope South Africa can evacuate its citizens from the region,” he said.
He added that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) was already coordinating evacuation efforts, but said Iran could assist if needed.
“DIRCO is facilitating the process of evacuation, but we are ready to assist if required.”
His remarks came hours after DIRCO confirmed that a growing number of South Africans in the Middle East had registered on the government’s Travel Smart system.
According to DIRCO, more than 6,400 South African citizens in the region had registered their presence as of March 4, 2026.
The department urged citizens currently in the region for non-essential travel to make use of official evacuation channels where possible.
“This proactive measure is essential to prepare for an exit from the danger zone as soon as it is safe to secure passage,” the department said in a statement.
Iran’s Ambassador to South Africa, Mansour Shakib Mehr, briefed the media on Wednesday night regarding the latest on the war in the Middle East.
Image: Iran Embassy
DIRCO also warned that the security situation remains volatile and encouraged South Africans to take advantage of the limited commercial flights that have resumed in parts of the region.
“We urge all citizens to note that several airlines have resumed limited commercial flights out of the region. Citizens are strongly encouraged to take immediate advantage of this opportunity to leave, as heavy attacks are regrettably expected to continue in the coming days. Your safety is our paramount concern,” the department said.
The evacuation warnings come as the Middle East faces escalating violence following a major military operation launched on February 28 by Israel and the United States against Iran.
The campaign, reportedly codenamed “Operation Epic Fury”, has involved widespread air and missile strikes targeting senior Iranian leadership, ballistic missile infrastructure, and nuclear facilities, including the Natanz Nuclear Facility.
Iranian state media reported that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the early stages of the strikes, with authorities now working to determine a successor.
Iran has responded by launching more than 2 000 drones and 500 ballistic missiles towards Israeli territory, US military bases, and sites in neighbouring Gulf states.
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has also opened a second front from southern Lebanon, firing rockets and drones into northern Israel.
Iran has also effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, threatening a critical route through which a large share of global oil and gas exports passes.
During the briefing, Shakib Mehr also called on members of the public, including South Africans, to voice opposition to the conflict and support what he described as Iran’s position.
The media briefing at the Iranian Embassy in Pretoria on Wednesday evening.
Image: Iran Embassy
“Iran has always supported the rights of the Palestinian people and continues to do so. We have paid a high price for the Palestinian cause.”
He added that Iranian leaders, military commanders, and allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq had made significant sacrifices in support of the Palestinian struggle.
The ambassador also urged the media to accurately report developments in the region.
“As members of the media, we expect you to show the truth to the people of South Africa,” he said. “Western powers, through massive funding and influence over media outlets, have created a media hegemony. Break this hegemony and present the truth to the people.”
While evacuation preparations continue, DIRCO has discouraged South Africans from undertaking non-essential travel to the region at this time.
South Africa has also reiterated its call for restraint from all parties involved in the conflict.