The FW de Klerk Foundation welcomes the ceasefire between the United States and Iran and hopes that it marks the beginning not merely of a pause in hostilities, but of a process toward a just, durable and peaceful resolution of the wider conflict.

The announcement follows weeks of escalation, loss of life, regional instability and disruption to global trade and energy markets. In that context, any movement away from confrontation and toward dialogue is welcome. Yet a ceasefire must be more than a reprieve. It must become an opening for diplomacy, respect for sovereignty and the restoration of international order.

The Foundation affirms that the territorial sovereignty and political independence of all states must be respected. These are not optional. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter expressly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. This principle lies at the heart of a rules-based international order. Threats of destruction, inflammatory rhetoric and strongman posturing may produce fear, but they do not produce legitimacy, stability or justice.

South Africa’s constitutional order points in the same direction. Our Constitution is grounded in human dignity, accountability and the rule of law. Section 198 requires national security to be pursued in compliance with the law, including international law. For that reason, South Africans have firm grounds to reject the notion that might makes right.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has rightly emphasised that “dialogue and mediation” are essential to achieving “a just, sustainable and lasting peace,” and that all nations must respect international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. This position reflects both South Africa’s constitutional commitments and its longstanding support for peaceful dispute resolution.

Ismail Joosub, Manager of Constitutional Advancement at the FW de Klerk Foundation, said: “The ceasefire is welcome because it steps the world back from the edge of a wider war, but it should never have required threats of civilisational destruction to reach this point. Peace must be built on law, sovereignty and negotiation, not on intimidation, coercion and the language of annihilation.”

The Foundation notes that the ceasefire is linked to a proposed 10-point framework advanced by Iran, which is expected to form the basis of negotiations over the coming weeks. While details remain contested, the framework reportedly includes the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, the cessation of hostilities and arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz, alongside proposals for a binding United Nations Security Council resolution. These elements, if approached in good faith, could provide a structured pathway toward a negotiated settlement, although significant disagreements remain.

The Foundation is mindful that questions persist regarding the durability of the ceasefire, the role of regional actors and the future of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz. These uncertainties underscore the importance of sustained and credible diplomacy.

Christo van der Rheede, Executive Director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, said: “A ceasefire matters not because it allows leaders to claim victory, but because it gives ordinary people a chance to live, rebuild and hope again. The real test now is whether those with power choose restraint over escalation and law over force. Lasting peace will require moral seriousness, political courage and respect for the sovereignty of nations.”

The FW de Klerk Foundation therefore welcomes the ceasefire, supports mediation and urges all parties to act in good faith to secure a permanent settlement. The world has seen enough of destruction dressed up as strategy. What is now required is statesmanship anchored in law, dignity and peace.