South Africa's Military Ties with Iran Spark Tensions with the US

Fri Jan 16 2026 19:06:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has raised concerns over South Africa's military engagement with Iran, accusing the country's defense ministry of defying orders to end naval exercises involving Iranian warships. Amidst calls for a re-examination of priorities, the South African government aims to address the allegations as geopolitical dynamics shift.

The U.S. has accused South Africa of failing to act on government orders regarding Iranian warships participating in naval drills off its coast. The South African defense ministry is investigating these claims as tensions rise between the U.S. and South Africa over Iran's involvement amid ongoing human rights issues in Tehran.

The US has accused South Africa's defence ministry of refusing to obey orders from its government to send home Iranian warships conducting naval exercises in the country's waters.

South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran, it stated.

In response, the South African defence ministry announced an inquiry into the allegations, emphasizing the need to investigate these serious claims.

Washington has expressed its discontent over South Africa's invitation to Iran amid ongoing human rights abuses in the country.

Officials argued that the actions of the South African military were not examples of 'non-alignment' but rather a deliberate choice to support Iran. As protests against the Iranian regime intensify, criticism arises over the silence of the African National Congress regarding these issues.

The US embassy described Iran's naval participation as detrimental to maritime security and regional stability, especially amid domestic unrest in Iran where protests echo the struggles South Africans fought against apartheid.

The drills, titled Peace Resolve, began recently and involve a coalition of Brics+ nations led by China, highlighting a shift in geopolitical alliances.

Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to turn the Iranian ships away, they reportedly reached Cape Town before emergency orders could be enacted.