US issues stark warning to South Africa over Iran naval drills

The United States has issued a sharp rebuke of South Africa after confirmation that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is conducting naval exercises with Iran.

In the late hours of 15 January 2026, the US Embassy in South Africa issued a brief statement warning that the move undermines regional security and contradicts claims of non-alignment

It said that it viewed Iran’s participation in the exercises “with concern and alarm,” citing media reports that allege that the Minister of Defence and the SANDF had defied a government directive regarding Tehran’s involvement.

“Iran is a destabilising actor and a state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the embassy said.

The statement went further, calling it “particularly unconscionable” that South Africa would host Iranian security forces while Iranian authorities were “shooting, jailing, and torturing” citizens engaged in peaceful political activity.

“South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cosying up to Iran,” the embassy added.

It argued that allowing Iranian military forces to operate in South African waters does not amount to non-alignment, but rather “choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism.”

“Permitting Iranian military forces to operate 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,” concluded the statement.

Iran confirmed as active participant

The criticism follows confirmation by the SANDF that Iran’s corvette Naghdi actively participated in the sea phase of Exercise Will for Peace 2026, a multinational maritime drill that began on 13 January off Simon’s Town.

An official SANDF update, reported by Newsday, listed vessels from several countries taking part, including the UAE corvette Bani Yas, Russia’s corvette Stoikiy, South Africa’s frigate SAS Amatola, Iran’s Naghdi, and China’s destroyer Tangshan.

According to the SANDF, the exercise is focused on maritime safety, joint readiness, humanitarian cooperation and shipping security.

However, confusion has surrounded Iran’s role. The SANDF quickly deleted the post confirming Naghdi’s active participation, after earlier media reports – notably from the SABC – suggested Iran had downgraded its involvement or withdrawn under political pressure.

Those reports indicated that senior South African officials had sought to limit Iran’s role to avoid complicating AGOA renewal talks and escalating diplomatic tensions.

Military analyst Darren Olivier, director of African Defence Review, highlighted the discrepancy, noting that one of the Iranian vessels was seen “heading out to sea alongside other warships,” despite assurances that Iran had agreed to withdraw from active participation.

“So this is opening a can of worms. One part of the South African government is telling the media and other countries that Iran has withdrawn, while the SANDF continues to act as though nothing has changed,” wrote Olivier.

“Even accounting for the usual dysfunction, this is decidedly not normal.”

Presidency responds on Iran unrest

Separately, the South African Presidency issued a brief statement on 15 January addressing unrest in Iran, saying the government was following developments “with concern.”

“The reports of unrest and the subsequent loss of life are concerning, and South Africa urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint,” the Presidency said.

It reaffirmed support for the universal rights to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and freedom of association, calling on Iranian authorities to ensure citizens can protest peacefully.

The statement concluded that lasting peace and stability in Iran could only be achieved through solutions that centre the agency and will of the Iranian people.