United States issues global warning
The United States has issued a global travel advisory warning its citizens across the world to exercise increased caution amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The alert was issued on Sunday (22 March), with the US government warning that “groups supportive of Iran may target US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world”.
The US also warned that periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions, but the key focus of the alert was on concerns that its diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, may be targeted.
“Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate,” it said.
The warning from the United States comes as the country faces backlash and global opposition to its war in Iran.
On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched “Operation Epic Fury” against the Middle East nation, bombarding military targets and killing Iran’s Supreme Leader.
In the weeks that have followed, the war has escalated, with Iran retaliating and bombing US assets in neighbouring countries, as well as demonstrating its long-range capabilities.
A key battleground in the war is the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has closed off, blocking oil shipments. Approximately 20% of the global oil supply travels through the Strait.
The United States has demanded that the strait be reopened, with US President Donald Trump issuing an ultimatum over the weekend that access be restored, or more bombardments will follow.
Amid the escalations, the United States has not garnered much support from its international allies, who have sought to stay out as much as possible.
Meanwhile, the US has faced condemnation from Iran’s supporters, including South Africa.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has an official stance of condemning any war in the Middle East, calling for dialogue to end the conflict.
At a Parliamentary debate on the escalating Middle East crisis and its implications for South Africa on 19 March 2026, DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola said that the country’s stance is anti-war.
“History has no record of a people being liberated by bombs falling from the sky, by chemical weapons poisoning their environment or by war destroying their future,” he said.
“Sustainable peace can only come through solutions that centre dialogue and respect the agency of the Iranian people.”
DIRCO director-general Zane Dangor has been more explicit on the department’s support of Iran in the war, rejecting any notion of cutting ties with the country, even amid human rights abuses.
He noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity had admonished Iran for its massacre of protesters in January, and for attacking neighbours in the latest war with the United States.
Despite this, “we have no reason to cut ties with Iran,” he said.
South Africa supportive of Iran
The US’ global warning also came a day after the African National Congress (ANC) staged a massive protest on Saturday, 21 March, which drew thousands of people to the streets in major cities.
Under the banner of “defending South Africa’s sovereignty”, the protest—held on Human Rights Day—took specific aim at the United States’ attempts to pressure South Africa into cutting ties with Iran.
While the party attempted to distance the protest from being “anti-America”, its messaging and statements on the day were clearly taking aim at the Trump Administration.
The party has characterised the United States as a bully, trying to force South Africa’s foreign relations and encroach on its sovereignty and democracy.
It also framed the protest as being against recent comments made by US Ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell, in which he laid out five demands for the country.
These centred around things like BEE, farm attacks, the “kill the boer” chant, expropriation without compensation and South Africa’s alignment with Iran.
At the protest, taking direct aim at the United States, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said that South Africa “will not be bullied”.
“After months of our nation being accused of genocide against a particular group, our transformation and social policies being treated with contempt, our courts being undermined, our economy being sabotaged by high tariffs…we declare that as South Africans, we will not be bullied.”
Mbalula condemned the war in the Middle East, and, sniping at the USA, flagged the White House’s past battles in the region.
“When [the United States] went to war with Iraq and Afghanistan, we told them we did not need to enter that war.”
“They said there were weapons of mass destruction; to this day, they have never proven that. They left Afghanistan with their tail between their legs,” he said.
On the Trump Administration’s “bullying”, Mbalula said the ANC only recognises the authority of the United Nations “as the supreme body that enforces multilateralism”.
“We respect and abide by the international laws. Nothing will be recognised by us outside the United Nations,” he said.
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