Somalia leads A3 call for restraint as Middle East crisis escalates

Somalia, speaking on behalf of the African members of the United Nations Security Council, on Saturday warned that escalating military action involving the United States, Israel and Iran risks plunging the Middle East into a wider and potentially uncontrollable conflict.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the so-called A3 — the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Somalia — Somalia’s representative described U.S. strikes carried out in coordination with Israeli forces against targets inside Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, as a “perilous and deeply troubling escalation.”

The A3 echoed concerns expressed by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and “aligned itself” with the position of the chairperson of the African Union Commission. “The reported military strikes and Iran’s subsequent response represent a serious intensification of hostilities in the Middle East and threaten to engulf the entire region in an uncontrollable cycle of violence,” the representative said.

The group condemned missile and drone attacks launched by Iran “against the sovereign territories of Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.” It reiterated that all U.N. member states must “comply with their obligations under international law,” including the U.N. Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

“These actions risk further destabilising the Middle East and underscore the urgent imperative to safeguard broader peace and stability, particularly as the geographic scope of military activity expands beyond the initial parties to the conflict,” the representative said.

The A3 called for restraint, “urgent de-escalation and sustained dialogue, urging all parties to act in full accordance with international law and the U.N. Charter to safeguard international peace and security.” The group further reiterated the need to establish a “Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, applicable to all states in the region without exception,” and stressed the importance of universal adherence to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

It emphasised the “protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” particularly in the context of “cross-border strikes and retaliatory actions,” and called on parties to refrain from targeting nuclear facilities under safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The latest round of strikes marks the most serious escalation since the June 2025 war, unfolding despite ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Diplomatic contacts between officials in Washington and Tehran had continued in recent weeks, but the talks ultimately failed to prevent military confrontation.

U.S. President Donald Trump described the campaign as a massive operation aimed at crippling Iran’s military infrastructure and preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons capability. In public remarks, he urged Iranian citizens to “take over your government,” signalling an openly confrontational political stance alongside the military operation.

The joint U.S.–Israel campaign, codenamed “Epic Fury,” is said to have targeted leadership compounds, Revolutionary Guard facilities and key infrastructure sites across Iran. According to Iranian state media, the first wave of attacks caused heavy casualties, with at least 201 people killed and more than 700 injured. Among the most consequential developments was a leadership crisis triggered by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

As of March 1, 2026, Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei’s death early Sunday, broadcasting archival footage accompanied by mourning banners. Reports indicated that members of his immediate family, including his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, were also killed. His death has created an unprecedented power vacuum at the apex of Iran’s political and religious establishment.

Fighting has since intensified. The United States and Israel launched additional heavy bombing raids early Sunday that reportedly killed dozens more Iranian officials. President Trump said the strikes would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week,” signalling sustained military pressure.

Iran expanded retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Gulf, striking major urban centres including Dubai, and Doha. Explosions were reported at Jebel Ali port in Dubai, heightening concerns over commercial shipping and regional economic stability.

Regional tensions escalated further after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes. The move has amplified fears of severe disruptions to global energy supplies and broader economic instability as hostilities continue to intensify across the Middle East