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South African General’s Tehran Visit Produces Defense Ties Offer and Government Disavowal

South Africa’s DIRCO distanced its official policy from the general’s remarks, exposing internal rifts over Tehran ties.

Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during a rally outside the former US embassy in the capital Tehran on November 4, 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iran hostage crisis.
The Tehran Times reported that South African National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya had called for deeper cooperation with Iran
Lieutenant General Rudzani Maphwanya in Mzinyathi on June 07, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. It is reported that military personnel provided and donated food, blankets and other much-needed goods to those left homeless in the wake of devastating rains and floods that wrecked havoc in parts of KwaZulu-Natal. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty)
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 18:Cyril Ramaphosa and General Rudzani Maphwanya at the Opening Of The Africa Aerospace And Defence Exhibition at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof on September 18, 2024 in Pretoria, South Africa. The exhibition showcases South African developed aerospace and defence technology, facilitates international partnerships including business to business and government to government, promotes exports, facilitates job creation and creates an educational platform promoting defence. (Photo by Frennie Shivambu/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya met Iran’s top military officials in Tehran, where they proposed expanding defense cooperation through joint projects, intelligence exchanges and training collaborations.
  • Iran’s armed forces chief announced readiness to deliver a more punishing response to any future U.S. or Israeli strike, signaling a firm deterrence posture following June’s confrontation.
  • Iranian commanders publicly praised South Africa’s ICJ genocide case against Israel and commended Pretoria’s vocal support for Palestinians in Gaza.
  • South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Presidency distanced official policy from the general’s comments, warning that his remarks did not reflect government positions.
  • President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office condemned the visit as ill-timed and opposition figures have called for General Maphwanya’s court-martial over perceived breaches of military neutrality.