The African Union Commission has expressed deep concern over reported military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning that the escalation could worsen instability in the Middle East and have wide-ranging global consequences, according to a statement issued from the AU headquarters on Saturday February 28, 2026.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said the escalation marks a serious intensification of hostilities in the region and urged all parties to exercise restraint urgent de-escalation and sustained diplomatic dialogue to restore peace, stressing that international law and the United Nations Charter should guide actions by all sides.

In the statement released in Addis Ababa, Youssouf also highlighted that further conflict could undermine global stability, with potentially serious effects on energy markets food security and economic resilience, particularly across African countries already vulnerable to economic pressures and supply disruptions. He noted that an expansion of hostilities could disrupt oil flows and contribute to higher global costs for fuel and food, adding stress to fragile economies on the continent.

The AU Commission reaffirmed that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through diplomacy and negotiation rather than military action. Youssouf urged all concerned actors to support ongoing mediation efforts, including those facilitated by international intermediaries, to prevent further deterioration of the situation and uphold the rules-based international order.

The advisory from the AU joins other global calls for calm and diplomatic engagement after the strikes triggered widespread concern among world leaders about the risk of broader conflict and its impact on civilian populations and international security.