Overview
- China is leading the 'Will for Peace 2026' BRICS naval exercise off South Africa from January 9–16, billed as the bloc’s first multilateral maritime drill.
- The South African military briefly confirmed an Iranian ship’s participation on social media before deleting the post, while officials postponed a promised briefing.
- Reports diverge on Iran’s final status, with some observers seeing an Iranian warship sail with the flotilla and others citing a South African request that reduced Tehran to observer status or led to a pullback.
- President Donald Trump threatened a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran, a move cited in reporting as shaping Pretoria’s efforts to protect U.S. trade ties, including AGOA preferences.
- At least one Iranian vessel was linked to the IRGC, drawing criticism from Western officials, as Russia, China, South Africa and the UAE took part and India stayed out.