…amid escalating US/Israel–Iran conflict
Moroke Sekoboto
THE government has come to the rescue of Basotho caught in the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Lejone Mpotjoane, confirmed yesterday that Basotho who were in affected areas had been moved to safety in nearby embassies such as Kuwait.
The move follows the war which broke out between the United States and Israel against Iran which began over the weekend.
US and Israeli attacks on Iran are an escalation of decades of confrontation over Tehran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missile development and regional influence. The US and Israel have long argued that Iran’s advancing enrichment activities, missile systems and support for regional armed groups pose direct threats to their security and that force could be justified to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. In the current campaign, US and Israeli leaders have openly framed their actions as necessary to blunt imminent threats from Iran’s military capabilities and to degrade its ability to pursue nuclear development.
On 28 February 2026, Israel and the US launched a major coordinated military assault on Iranian territory, participating in joint strikes which are alleged to have killed the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Iran denies posing an imminent threat, and its leadership has characterised the strikes as unprovoked aggression. The attacks have triggered reciprocal Iranian missile and drone launches against US forces and regional bases.
This has led to airspace closures and widespread travel disruptions across parts of the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates.
Mr Mpotjoane said Lesotho’s Ambassador to Kuwait, ’Manthabiseng Phohleli, had been working tirelessly to coordinate the evacuation and ensure the safety of Basotho.
“While the exact number of Basotho in the Middle East conflict zone is still being finalized by our Ambassador in Kuwait, ’Manthabiseng Phohleli, we have taken proactive steps to ensure everyone’s safety,” Mr Mpotjoane said.
“Following our travel advisory, all citizens abroad were asked to check in with our regional embassies. We are pleased to report that Mr Robert Likhang and others who reached out have been assisted. Due to airspace closures, they were issued temporary visas for safe passage to Kuwait. At this time, all known travellers have been attended to, and no Mosotho remains stranded.”
Among those assisted is top accountant and business consultant, Robert Likhang, who had travelled to Dubai on a business trip when the conflict intensified.
With commercial flights disrupted and uncertainty mounting, Mr Likhang and other Basotho sought help from Lesotho’s diplomatic mission.
Speaking after reaching safety, Mr Likhang expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ms Phohleli for her decisive intervention.
“We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Ambassador ’Manthabiseng Phohleli. In a time of crisis, she has been a true mother figure to us all. Her performance has been outstanding, marked by bravery and resilience.
“We intend to share our high recommendations with Minister Mpotjoane regarding her future deployment, as her leadership is an asset to the nation. We thank her for her dedication to all Basotho and pray for God’s blessings upon her and her entire team,” Mr Likhang said.
The government has urged Basotho living or travelling abroad, particularly in volatile regions, to remain in close contact with Lesotho’s embassies and to adhere strictly to official travel advisories as the US/Israel–Iran conflict continues to unfold.
