Red flags raised over South Africa’s reported joint naval exercise with Iran and Russia

South Africa’s claim of neutrality on the global stage is under fire as the Democratic Alliance (DA) criticises the government it is part of for hosting Iranian and Russian naval forces.

The backlash stems from a City Press report stating that Iranian flotillas are en route to South African waters to participate in Exercise Mosi III, a multilateral naval drill involving several BRICS nations, which Iran recently became a member of.

The DA’s spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh MP, said the presence of these sanctioned states contradicts the country’s stated foreign policy.

“The media confirmations that Iranian naval vessels are en route to South Africa to participate in the Mosi III naval exercise alongside Russia make it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain that South Africa is genuinely pursuing a policy of non-alignment,” Hattingh stated.

He added that hosting military forces from countries involved in active conflicts and human rights abuses sends a “clear political signal”, regardless of official government denials.

Hattingh warned that South Africa’s non-aligned stance is being systematically eroded.

“South Africa’s policy of non-alignment is being hollowed out. What begins as quiet military cooperation slips into secrecy and ends in open alignment,” he said.

According to the DA, these developments are the “predictable result of confused foreign policy and poor political judgement,” noting that a single UN vote against Russia is undermined by military cooperation with Moscow and Tehran.

The Department of Defence did not respond to queries from Newsday by time of publication. Comment will be added if received.

Concerns over US perceptions

The Tehran Times reported that Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Naval Force of the Iranian Army, confirmed that the 103rd and 104th flotillas have set sail to Cape Town.

According to him, strengthen “defense and marine diplomacy” and safeguard Iran against “multidimensional threats” through “strategic resistance”.

“We take pride in the fact that the products and equipment used are entirely Iranian and align with our national naval strategies and methods.”

The flotillas are believed to include ships equipped with military drones that have not yet been publicly demonstrated, adding international scrutiny to the maneuvers.

Exercise Mosi III follows the controversial Mosi II, when Russia deployed the Admiral Gorshkov, a frigate capable of firing hypersonic Zircon missiles.

While the SANDF describes such exercises as routine “Passex” drills for communication, helicopter manoeuvres, and logistical replenishment, the geopolitical optics remain sensitive, particularly with the United States.

South Africa’s relations with the United States have come under increasing strain in recent months, with bills being proposed in the Senate that cite alleged South African alignment with malign actors.

The DA has warn that allowing sanctioned states to participate in Mosi III further undermines Pretoria’s non-aligned stance and risks eroding long-standing defence and strategic partnerships with democratic allies.

Contradictions within the GNU

The DA’s criticism is heightened by perceived contradictions within the executive.

President Cyril Ramaphosa previously denied any military cooperation with Iran following a controversial visit to Tehran by SANDF Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya in August.

“We have no military operations with Iran,” Ramaphosa said at the time, while acknowledging that the timing of the visit was poor given geopolitical tensions.

Confirmation that Iran will participate in Exercise Mosi III — marking the first time alongside Russia and China — appears to contradict those assurances.

The DA said it will “demand full transparency on all military exercises involving sanctioned states” and seek urgent parliamentary oversight over defence policy.

Hattingh argues this path places South Africa’s democratic partnerships at risk, particularly after Iran’s president described the country as being in a “state of war” with Western powers.