South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that his government formally expressed concerns to China regarding Iran’s participation in recent naval exercises held in South African waters.
Speaking on the matter, Ramaphosa clarified that South Africa acted solely as host, while China organized the drills and extended invitations to participating nations, including Iran.
“We urged Beijing to reconsider Iran’s involvement, especially given heightened global tensions,” the president said, highlighting Pretoria’s careful approach amid growing international scrutiny.
In response to mounting criticism, particularly from the United States, the South African government has established a board of inquiry to review how the exercises were conducted and to ensure that official protocols and directives were followed.
The announcement underscores the delicate diplomatic balancing act Pretoria faces in managing strategic partnerships with major global powers while maintaining its international reputation.
The naval exercises, initially intended to strengthen regional maritime cooperation, have drawn sharp attention due to geopolitical sensitivities surrounding Iran and the broader Indo-Pacific security environment.
