South Africa's defence ministry has opened an inquiry into Iran's participation in BRICS+ naval exercises off Cape Town after reports President Cyril Ramaphosa asked Tehran to withdraw to avoid upsetting the United States. A Reuters witness reported seeing three Iranian vessels operating in False Bay, though officials have not clarified their role. The probe will examine whether presidential instructions were misrepresented or ignored, while the U.S. Embassy said it was "concerned and alarmed." The timing coincides with U.S. deliberations over renewal of the AGOA trade programme.
South Africa Opens Probe Into Iran's Role In BRICS+ Naval Drills Near Cape Town Amid U.S. Concerns
An Iranian vessel sails in False Bay, near the Simon's Town Naval base on the last day of the BRICS Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for a joint naval exercises in South Africa's waters, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
JOHANNESBURG, Jan 16 (Reuters) — South Africa's defence ministry has launched an inquiry into Iran's participation in BRICS+ naval exercises off Cape Town after media reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa asked Tehran to withdraw to avoid straining ties with the United States.
A Reuters witness said three Iranian vessels were seen daily in False Bay alongside other participating ships, including those from Russia and China, but the defence ministry has not explained the Iranian vessels' specific activities.
A Russian vessle sails next to an Iranian vessel in False Bay, near the Simon's Town Naval base on the last day of the BRICS Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for a joint naval exercises in South Africa's waters, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
South African outlets Daily Maverick and News24 reported that Ramaphosa had instructed that Iran be removed from the drills amid concerns the country's presence could damage Pretoria's fragile relationship with Washington. In a statement on Friday, the defence ministry said the inquiry will determine whether the president's instructions were misrepresented or ignored.
Defence Minister Angie Motshekga told Reuters it was untrue that the defence force had defied presidential orders but did not provide further detail. Ramaphosa's office declined to comment.
Geopolitical Context And Timing
The exercises took place at a sensitive moment as U.S. lawmakers considered whether to extend the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a preferential trade programme for some African countries. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a related bill, though South Africa still faces a risk of exclusion.
Navy vessels sail in False Bay, near the Simon's Town Naval base on the last day of the BRICS Plus countries which include China, Russia and Iran for a joint naval exercises in South Africa's waters, in Cape Town, South Africa, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Esa Alexander
The U.S. Embassy in South Africa said on social media that it had "noted with concern and alarm" reports of Iran's participation. Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of possible intervention in Iran if a deadly crackdown on mass protests continues.
About BRICS+
BRICS+ refers to an expanded grouping that began with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and now includes additional partners such as Iran, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa described the drills as an operation to "ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities." The defence ministry's inquiry aims to clarify chain-of-command decisions and public messaging around the deployment.
(Reporting by Nellie Peyton, Wendell Roelf, Esa Alexander and Sfundo Parakozov; Editing by Alexander Winning and Aidan Lewis)
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