The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is urging South Africans overseas who may require assistance to register on its Travel Smart App, as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt travel and regional stability.
The department says a number of South Africans living in Gulf states have begun returning home as limited commercial flights resume following earlier airspace closures triggered by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran are now approaching their third week, with Tehran continuing retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region. Iranian counterstrikes have targeted US-linked assets in several countries, resulting in the suspension of numerous civilian flights.
However, some airlines have gradually resumed operations. Qatar Airways is among the carriers that have restarted limited commercial flights, allowing some South Africans to return home.
Government Monitoring Situation
Speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday, DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the government is closely monitoring the situation and assisting citizens where possible.
“Commercial airlines are starting to fly, and South Africans have been taking advantage of this option to come home,” Monyela said.
He added that authorities have also facilitated the movement of some citizens through land borders to neighbouring countries where flights are available.
“We’ve been moving other people through land borders to cross into countries where flights are available, and South Africans have been coming home,” he said.
Monyela said government departments remain on standby should the situation worsen.
“We have a plan. It’s still on the table of our leadership to look at options should the current arrangement of people utilising commercial airlines become difficult to continue with,” he said.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Escalating Conflict
Meanwhile, the geopolitical tensions are continuing to affect global markets, with oil prices once again making international headlines.
Brent crude oil prices surged above $100 a barrel, climbing more than nine percent to reach a high of $101.59.
The price spike followed a fresh wave of Iranian attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure on Thursday, including incidents involving oil tankers and other strategic targets.
Iran warned that it could sustain a prolonged conflict that would severely damage the global economy.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said Iran was facing imminent defeat, although he cautioned that the conflict would not necessarily end immediately.