Ntshavheni warns against fragmentation of Iran, says it could end up divided like Libya

CAPE TOWN - Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has warned against the regime change and "Balkanisation" of Iran, saying it could end up divided like Libya.

Ntshavheni also said that Cabinet is deeply concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the recent airstrikes on its nuclear infrastructure by the United States (US).

Ntshavheni was addressing a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, where she called for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities.

Ntshavheni said that Cabinet further called on the US, Israel, and Iran to create room for constructive dialogue and give the United Nations (UN) the space to find a peaceful resolution in the dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.

She said this should include the inspection and verification of Iran's status on uranium enrichment, "as well as its broader nuclear capacity".

She said Iran could not go down the same road as some countries who had been partitioned following similar interventions, where opposing groups control different parts of the country.

"The world cannot afford the Balkanisation of Iran, by the sheer size of its population, geographic location and mineral resources. 

"As a continent, we in Africa are still suffering the consequences of the Balkanisation of Libya 14 years later after the Libyan regime change, with the escalation of terrorism across the continent."

She said that Cabinet called for an urgent de-escalation of hostilities and full compliance with international law by all parties to prevent further human suffering.