US EditionSouth Africa probes Iran's role in BRICS+ naval drills
- On Friday, the South African Defence Ministry launched an investigation into Iranian warships' participation, and a board of inquiry will determine if President Cyril Ramaphosa's instructions were misrepresented or ignored.
- This past week, the U.S. Embassy in South Africa sharply criticised Pretoria for hosting Iranian ships during the China-led Will for Peace 2026 drills, as reports said Iranian warships had already arrived in Cape Town when an order to turn them around was issued.
- The South African National Defence Force said Iran sent two Iranian warships while the AP saw a third Iranian warship in Simon's Town, and images showed at least one Iranian vessel at sea, with a defence ministry social media post listing an Iranian corvette later removed.
- DA leaders have pressed Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to report Iran to the UNHRC while observers warned the drills risked harming Pretoria's ties with Washington and key trading partners.
- Against a backdrop of BRICS+ expansion, the U.S. embassy in Pretoria said Iran's inclusion undermined maritime security and was unconscionable given more than 2,600 deaths, complicating South Africa's non-alignment.
46 Articles
46 Articles
South Africa to probe Iran’s role in naval drills that angered US
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Pretoria, which is trying to repair strained relations with the United States. Ties have worsened under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has accused South Africa of anti-American policies, imposed steep trade tariffs
South Africa to probe Iran’s role in war games that angered US
South Africa's defence minister has ordered an inquiry into reports of Iran's participation in navy exercises, apparently against the instructions of the president, the ministry said Friday. The probe comes after the United States sharply criticised the past week's drills, which brought vessels from China, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to waters off Cape Town. Local media reported President Cyril Ramaphosa had instructed the defence …
The U.S. criticized South Africa for allowing Iran to participate in naval exercises off the coast of Cape Town, after contradictory versions of the Islamic Republic’s role in maneuvers. “Iran’s participation in joint exercises, in any field, undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the U.S. Embassy stated in a publication released on Thursday night. “South Africa cannot lecture the world on justice while agreeing with Iran.” Warshi…
South Africa to probe Iran's role in navy drills that angered US
South Africa's defence ministry has launched a probe into Iran's participation in the BRICS+ naval exercises held near Cape Town this week, after reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked Iran to withdraw to avoid antagonizing the United States.
US Accuses South Africa of ‘Cozying Up’ to Iran Amid Protest Clampdown
The United States has accused South Africa of undermining regional maritime security by allowing Iranian military participation in naval exercises held in South African waters, escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria as Iran faces mounting international condemnation over its violent clampdown on nationwide protests. South Africa’s defense ministry said on Jan. 16 that Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga had laun…
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