Iran's participation in Simon's Town naval drills draws US criticism

THE US has criticised Iran's presence at naval drills off South Africa's coast as "particularly unconscionable" given the regime's crackdown on protests.

Vessels from China, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates sailed into waters off Cape Town around a week ago to take part in the exercises as part of the BRICS grouping of nations.

It was reported that the South African government had sought to have Iran drop out of the China-led drill, which is taking place amid a crackdown in Iran that activists say left thousands dead.

It was unclear to what extent the Iranian vessels were involved in the exercises, which were justified by the South African navy as necessary to "ensure the safety of shipping lanes and maritime economic activities."

Critics have noted the drill brings together nations with major diplomatic differences with the United States while Pretoria is seeking to improve its own battered ties with Washington.

"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 US embassy in South Africa posted on Facebook.

"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," it said.

Ties between Washington and Pretoria have hit rock bottom over several policy differences, including South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice over the Gaza war.

"South Africa can't lecture the world on 'justice' while cozying up to Iran," the embassy said.

The US criticism came as the SANDF announced that Defense Minister Angie Motshekga established a board of inquiry into Iran’s participation in the drills. 

 President Cyril Ramaphosa had been reportedly against Iran’s inclusion in the naval exercise. 

“Following a series of reports containing serious allegations concerning the President's  clear instruction on how Exercise Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted, in particular  the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran,  Minister of Defense  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 inquiry has been asked to establish whether Ramaphosa’s instruction may have been  ‘misrepresented and/or ignored’ among other aspects.