Pretoria: Iran's Ambassador to Pretoria has expressed gratitude to South Africa for initiating a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel, accusing it of genocide against Palestinians. Mansour Shakib-Mehr conveyed these sentiments in Pretoria during a ceremony marking the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the proceedings were lodged in late December 2023 by South Africa at the UN's top court. The case addresses alleged violations by Israel of the 1948 Genocide Convention concerning Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. During the event, the Iranian envoy acknowledged South Africa's efforts in bringing the issue to the international legal platform.

In his address, Shakib-Mehr also highlighted Iran's standing as an independent and influential nation. He noted the country's advancements since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, particularly in emerging technologies, healthcare, defense, space exploration, and peaceful nuclear energy development.