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South Africa Opens Inquiry Into Iranian Role in BRICS Naval Drills

The probe tests civilian control of the military following reports that presidential limits on Iran’s role were flouted.

The Iranian navy ship Naghdi is seen docked at Simon's Town Harbour in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
The Chinese destroyer Tangshan, left, the Russian corvette Stoikiy, center, and the Iranian corvette Naghdi are docked at Simon's Town Harbour in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
An Iranian corvette, the IRIS Naghdi, was among the vessels that moored off Cape Town ahead of the BRICS navy exercises
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Overview

  • Defense Minister Angie Motshekga ordered a board of inquiry to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa’s directive on Iran’s participation was misrepresented or ignored, with a report due after the exercise.
  • Local outlets reported that Ramaphosa instructed Iran’s withdrawal or observer-only status, though the presidency has not publicly confirmed the order.
  • Signals from officials conflicted, as an SANDF post naming an Iranian corvette as a participant was later deleted and the AP observed a third Iranian warship in Simon’s Town.
  • The U.S. Embassy condemned any Iranian role as “particularly unconscionable,” citing the lethal crackdown on protesters in Iran.
  • The China-led Will for Peace 2026 drills off Cape Town concluded with participation by China, Russia, the UAE, South Africa and Iran, heightening scrutiny of Pretoria’s ties with Washington and AGOA-related sensitivities.