Des Erasmus
The United States Embassy has lambasted South Africa for allowing Iranian military participation in the BRICS naval exercise Will For Peace in Simon’s Town, saying Pretoria’s actions contradict a government order and undermine regional security.
“The United States notes with concern and alarm reports that the Minister of Defence and SANDF defied a government order regarding Iran’s participation in the ongoing naval exercises,” the embassy posted on X late on Thursday.
News24 reported this week that President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed Defence Minister Angie Motshekga to ask Iran to adopt observer status at the drills, but SANDF communications suggested Iran may still have participated.
“Iran is a destabilising actor and state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the embassy said in its post.
“It is particularly unconscionable that South Africa welcomed Iranian security forces as they were shooting, jailing, and torturing Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves.”
Protests that erupted across Iran in late December over soaring prices and a collapsing currency have morphed into the biggest challenge in years for the Islamic Republic.
Tehran is yet to publish an official death toll, but human rights groups have reported over 2500 known protester deaths.
The United States has voiced support for the protesters. President Donald Trump has warned Iran against using force against its citizens, saying the US could intervene if the deaths escalate.
South Africa, which presents itself as an advocate of “non-alignment” and “diplomatic engagement” with Tehran dating back to the anti-apartheid era, on Thursday urged “maximum restraint” from all parties in Iran and called on the country’s leaders to ensure that citizens are able to exercise their right to protest in peace.
“South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cosying up to Iran,” the embassy said in its post, adding that allowing Iranian forces in South African waters or “going to Tehran and expressing solidarity … isn’t ‘non-alignment’: it’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism.”
INSIDE POLITICS