The US has accused South Africa’s defence establishment of defying government instructions by allowing Iranian warships to take part in naval exercises in the country’s waters, raising fresh tensions between Washington and Pretoria.
In a sharply worded statement, US officials said South Africa could not claim to stand for justice while “cosying up to Iran”, alleging that the defence ministry ignored orders to ask Iranian vessels to leave. The drills, involving warships from Iran and other Brics+ countries, are being held off South Africa’s coast.
South Africa’s defence ministry rejected the accusations and said it was launching an inquiry to establish the facts behind what it described as “serious allegations”. Officials insisted that the government’s position had been clearly communicated and agreed upon by all parties involved.
Washington has been particularly critical of South Africa’s decision to host Iran at a time when authorities in Tehran are facing international condemnation over a violent crackdown on protests. US officials argued that the naval exercises undermined claims of non alignment, saying the move amounted instead to a clear political choice to side with Iran.
Political analysts in South Africa said the controversy exposed contradictions in the ruling ANC’s foreign policy. Critics noted that while the party frequently condemns human rights abuses elsewhere, it has remained largely silent on events in Iran, despite calls from civil society groups to support protesters there.
The US embassy in South Africa said it viewed Iran’s participation in the exercises with “concern and alarm”, warning that it threatened maritime security and regional stability. The statement also described Iran’s involvement as unconscionable given its suppression of protests, which it compared to freedoms South Africans had fought hard to secure.
Earlier, the office of Defence Minister Angie Motshekga said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding the naval drills had been clearly issued and were expected to be implemented. However, media reports said Iranian warships had already arrived in Cape Town by the time the reported order to turn them away was issued.
The week long naval exercise, dubbed Peace Resolve, is being led by China and involves several Brics+ members, including Russia. The bloc, originally formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China, later expanded to include South Africa and has recently added Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Its stated aim is to challenge the political and economic dominance of Western powers.