US Criticizes South Africa's Military Ties with Iran During Naval Exercises

Fri Jan 16 2026 22:06:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The United States has accused South Africa of not adhering to government directives in relation to Iranian naval presence, sparking tensions amid ongoing protests in Iran.

The US has openly criticized South Africa's defense ministry for allegedly siding with Iran by allowing Iranian warships to conduct naval exercises in its waters, contrary to governmental orders. South Africa has responded by initiating an inquiry into these accusations, emphasizing the need for greater scrutiny of the country's foreign alliances and internal governmental directives.

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

South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran, it said in a statement.

In response, South Africa's defence ministry said it was launching an inquiry to get to the root of these serious allegations.

Washington has criticised South Africa for inviting Iran at a time when a brutal crackdown against protests was happening in the Middle Eastern country.

It said the South African military's actions did not amount to non-alignment but were instead a choice to stand with Iran.

This is absolutely no surprise. Protests against the Iranian regime are happening right now, human rights organisations here in SA have been calling for support for the protesters, said William Gumede, an associate professor at the University of Witwatersrand.

On social media, the US embassy in South Africa expressed its concern and alarm regarding reports that the defence minister and her forces had defied government orders to ask Iran to leave. They argued that Iran's participation undermined maritime security and regional stability as it suppresses protests back home, contrasting it with peaceful political activity South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves.

Friday's statement from Defence Minister Angie Motshekga noted that President Cyril Ramaphosa's instructions had been clearly communicated...to be implemented and adhered to as such.

Dubbed Peace Resolve, the week-long naval drill is being led by China, involving members from an alliance of major developing countries, including Russia.

The alliance, initially known as Bric, has expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates—it is now called Brics+ and aims to challenge the influence of wealthier Western nations.

Prior to the orders for their expeditious departure, Iranian warships had already arrived in Cape Town.