Former South African diplomat Ebrahim Rasool has cautioned that the United States and Israel should not be allowed to sidestep international law as violence intensifies across the Middle East.
His remarks come amid continued airstrikes and missile exchanges in the region, with growing fears that the conflict could spiral into a broader and more destructive confrontation.
Rasool said the actions of US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu risk deepening instability and undermining global order if left unchecked.
“If we do not stop Trump and Netanyahu at this moment, the world will get into deeper danger and chaos,” Rasool said. “We have seen the chaos of health cuts across Africa, we have seen the trade destruction with tariffs, and now we are seeing the destruction of countries. We cannot allow the rule of law to be flouted.”
International leaders have echoed calls for restraint. In a statement on Sunday, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, condemned the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran, as well as Tehran’s retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and parts of the Gulf region.
Guterres warned that the escalating military action threatens international peace and security and urged all parties to step back from further confrontation.
He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed efforts toward de-escalation, cautioning that failure to do so could trigger a wider regional war with severe consequences for civilians and long-term stability.
With tensions mounting and diplomatic channels under strain, Rasool said adherence to international law remains critical to preventing the conflict from spreading further.