Defence minister launches probe into Iran’s participation in South African-hosted military exercise

Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, has launched a board of inquiry into recent reports that Iran participated in the sea phase of the South African-hosted military exercise Will For Peace 2026. 

In a statement on 16 January 2026, Motshekga said that President Cyril Ramaphosa issued clear instructions on how the exercise should be conducted, particularly on the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

“The Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, would like to place it on record that the instruction was clearly communicated to all parties concerned, agreed upon and to be implemented and adhered to as such,” the minister said. 

Initial reports in the media, stemming from the SABC, indicated that Iran had downgraded its role to Observeror withdrawn from active participation following political pressure. 

However, Newsday reported how, on January 13, 2026, a SANDF Facebook post listed the Iranian corvette Naghdi among ships departing Simon’s Town for the exercise’s sea phase, alongside the other participants:

• The UAE Corvette Bani Yas;
• Russian Corvette Stoikiy;
• South African Frigate SAS Amatola;
• Chinese Destroyer Tangshan; and, against media reports,
• Iranian Corvette Naghdi.

The post, which included details of the vessels involved, was subsequently removed, prompting speculation about efforts to manage public perception.

Prominent military analyst Darren Olivier, Director at African Defence Review, highlighted the discrepancy in real-time commentary.

He noted the confusion surrounding Iran’s status, stating that one of the Iranian ships “headed out to sea alongside other warships and is seemingly taking part in the exercise.”

This is despite assurances from South African government officials that Iran had been asked to withdraw and had agreed to do so.

Following the allegations and reports in the media, the minister said that the board of inquiry will look into the circumstances surrounding the allegations. 

The inquiry will establish “whether the instruction of the President may have been misrepresented and/or ignored as issued to all,” the minister said. 

A report of the investigation will be compiled within 7 days after the completion of the naval exercise. 

US condemns South Africa for ‘cosying up to Iran’

Motshekga’s action on Iran’s alleged involvement follows harsh criticism from the US Embassy in South Africa related to the media reports. 

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.

“It’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism,” concluded the statement.