Overview
- Unnamed sources told Daily Maverick that Iran’s three warships in False Bay will not join the at-sea phase of Will for Peace 2026.
- A South African government source said the decision was agreed with defense ministries, including Iran, and was taken before Iranian protests and before AGOA timing was known.
- The South African National Defence Force says the exercise advances multilateral naval partnerships and is proceeding with participating navies.
- Ships from China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa are in Simon’s Town and False Bay for live-fire and maritime operations scheduled for early in the week.
- It remains unclear whether the Iranian vessels will stay in port as the U.S. House considers an AGOA extension viewed as politically sensitive for South Africa.