CAPE TOWN, March 4 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday called for an immediate end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, saying his country is willing to play a mediating role in it.

Ramaphosa made the remarks when speaking to local media on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Indaba 2026 in Cape Town.

On Saturday morning, the United States and Israel began large-scale airstrikes against Iran, triggering Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israeli and U.S. assets across the Middle East.

"We have issued a clear statement that we want a ceasefire, we want this madness to come to an end," Ramaphosa told reporters. "There must be a ceasefire. Dialogue is always the best way of ending conflict and then ending the war. And we want this war to come to an end immediately."

The president said that South Africa is always ready to play a contributing role, either in mediation or whatever.

"If a gap opens or if we are asked, we always live up to our obligations," he added.

Ramaphosa also said that South Africa would provide safe passage to goods and ships transiting its waters amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. ■