CAPE TOWN — The United States on Thursday sharply criticised Iran’s presence at multinational naval exercises off South Africa’s coast, calling it “particularly unconscionable” as Tehran intensifies a crackdown on domestic protests, while Pretoria insists the drills are focused on maritime safety rather than politics.
The week-long exercise, branded “Will for Peace 2026”, is being staged in waters near Cape Town and Simon’s Town under a BRICS Plus banner, with ships from South Africa, China and Russia at the centre of the operation and Iran’s participation contested in local reporting.
In a Facebook post, the US embassy in South Africa described Iran as a “destabilizing actor and state sponsor of terror,” arguing that its inclusion “in any capacity” undermines maritime security and regional stability. The embassy added it was “particularly unconscionable” for South Africa to host Iranian security-linked forces while Iranian citizens were allegedly being “shoot[ing], jail[ed], and tortur[ed]” for peaceful political activity.
South African defence officials have framed the exercise as routine naval cooperation aimed at “ensur[ing] the safety of shipping lanes and maritime economic activities,” a theme echoed in official government communications about the drill.
However, the optics have drawn scrutiny at home and abroad. South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance has criticised the drills as signalling alignment with governments at odds with Western partners, while analysts note Pretoria is simultaneously trying to stabilise strained ties with Washington.
Local media reports said South African authorities privately urged Tehran to downgrade or step back from visible participation, amid concern that Iran’s presence could further complicate relations with the US. Some reports suggested Iranian vessels were reduced to observer status or had limited involvement, though the extent of any change has remained unclear.
The dispute lands against a backdrop of worsening US–South Africa relations. Washington has objected to Pretoria’s foreign-policy positions, including South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, and has recently taken punitive diplomatic and trade steps.
US President Donald Trump has also publicly warned Iran over its domestic crackdown, with administration rhetoric adding pressure as the BRICS Plus grouping expands and deepens security cooperation among members.
