Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi speaks during an anti-Israel rally at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) Sq. in Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (AP)

With US veto power in the UN Security Council, it is not possible to hope that the agency will be able to achieve peace said Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi as he spoke to the South African Foreign Minister Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor and her delegation, in Tehran, on Sunday.

During the meeting, Raisi criticized the UNSC, its position, and its function, saying "When the United States, by sending equipment and weapons to the Zionist regime, is an accomplice in the regime's crimes against the defenseless people of Gaza, and it vetos a resolution condemning those crimes, one cannot hope for this council to play a role in maintaining world peace."

Raisi also described South Africa's actions that prevent "Israel" from assuming an observer membership position at the African Union as admirable, especially noting the ongoing crimes committed by the Israeli occupation against the 2 million residents besieged in the Gaza Strip.

The Iranian President further hailed South Africa for its support of Palestine and voicing its condemnation of the Israeli occupation's aggression against the Palestinian people, appreciating South Africa's efforts in regard to the Islamic Republic of Iran's BRICS membership.

In turn, Pandor reaffirmed that Iran's membership in the BRICS was the result of the collective consensus of the group, emphasizing that "Iran can play an effective role in enhancing the status of BRICS and the joint efforts of countries for justice-based progress."

The South African Foreign Minister also voiced the country's interest in "strengthening the future cooperation, especially in the economic field with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

It is important to note that earlier in March, the Israeli Embassy in South Africa's Cape Town was demoted to a liaison office after 208 South African lawmakers voted, in parliament, for the downgrading of ties with "Israel" earlier on March 9.

The measure, which was opposed only by 94 lawmakers, was introduced to parliament by the National Freedom Party, which has two members in parliament, to object to policies of apartheid and discrimination against Palestinians.

Despite being a symbolic move, given that action on this was taken by the government four years ago, South Africa still voted in favor of this decision.

“This is a historic moment for our country and a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and freedom,” South Africa’s National Freedom Party said in a statement after the vote.

"This is a moment [Mandela] would be proud of. He always said our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians," the statement read, adding that "Israel was built through the displacement, murder, and maiming of Palestinians. And to maintain their grip on power, they have instituted apartheid to control and manage Palestinians."

"As South Africans, we refuse to stand by while apartheid is being perpetrated again," the statement concluded.