US Raises Concerns Over South Africa’s Growing Military Ties with Iran
GLOBAL DEFENCE
The United States has expressed serious concern over South Africa’s increasing military engagement with Iran after Iranian warships participated in recent naval exercises near Cape Town. The development has triggered fresh diplomatic tension between Washington and Pretoria, with US officials warning that such cooperation could have broader security and political implications.
The US Embassy in Pretoria issued a strongly worded statement arguing that Iran’s involvement was troubling, describing Tehran as a destabilising force in global affairs. American officials suggested that hosting Iranian warships while the country faces widespread human rights allegations sends the wrong message to the international community.
Within South Africa, the controversy has sparked political debate. Opposition parties and some analysts argue that closer military ties with Iran could strain relations with Western allies, particularly the United States and European nations that impose sanctions on Tehran. Others, however, defend South Africa’s independent foreign policy, saying the country has the right to engage with multiple global partners rather than align strictly with Western interests.
In response to the backlash, the South African government has launched an official inquiry to examine whether proper procedures were followed in approving Iran’s participation. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga has ordered a review to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directives were clearly communicated to military officials.
For now, Pretoria maintains that the drills were legal, transparent, and consistent with its neutral diplomatic stance. However, the episode highlights how global power rivalries are increasingly influencing South Africa’s foreign policy choices.
The joint drills, named Will for Peace 2026, involved navies from China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. While South Africa described the exercise as a routine multilateral maritime operation aimed at strengthening naval coordination and security at sea, the presence of Iranian military vessels drew sharp criticism from the US government.