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South Africa Opens Inquiry Into Iran’s Role in China-Led Naval Drills

The probe centers on whether officials disregarded a directive to sideline Iranian warships to limit diplomatic damage with the United States.

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)
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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)
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Overview

  • Defence Minister Angie Motshekga established a board of inquiry to determine if President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction on Iran’s participation in Will for Peace 2026 was misrepresented or ignored.
  • The Presidency confirmed Ramaphosa ordered Iran to withdraw from the week‑long exercise or be limited to observer status, with the ministry saying the directive was clearly communicated.
  • Despite that order, Iranian warships were present off Cape Town, with the SANDF initially naming an Iranian corvette in a post later deleted and reporters observing a third Iranian vessel in harbor.
  • The U.S. Embassy condemned Iran’s presence as unconscionable given Tehran’s protest crackdown, escalating diplomatic friction over South Africa’s handling of the drills.
  • The exercise concluded on January 16 under Chinese operational command, and India stated it was a South African initiative rather than an institutional BRICS activity, as the inquiry prepares to report within seven days.