South Africa has dismissed U.S. calls to sever ties with Iran, with Zane Dangor asserting that Pretoria has no reason to cut diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic. Dangor made the remarks in an interview with Reuters, responding to comments by newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Leo Bozell, who suggested that South Africa’s association with Iran was an impediment to improving relations with Washington.
While Dangor acknowledged that South Africa is “not absolutely uncritical of Iran,” citing Tehran’s crackdown on protesters in January and attacks on neighbouring countries amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict, he emphasised that the country would not be drawn into great power influence politics, including pressure from the United States.
The interview comes amid strained U.S.-South Africa relations dating back to former President Donald Trump’s administration, which imposed a 30% tariff on South African imports in August, exacerbating job losses and economic challenges.
Dangor also rejected other U.S. demands, including scrapping Black empowerment laws, dropping South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, and accepting a preferential refugee programme for white South Africans. “We’re not going to let the domestic issues that they’ve put on the table become part of that equation,” he said.
South Africa remains open to improving ties with the U.S., Dangor noted, but stressed that engagement should focus on areas of agreement. Regarding the International Court of Justice case against Israel, he said the matter is a court process and not subject to U.S. negotiation.
On Black empowerment policies, Dangor reiterated that domestic laws addressing the legacy of apartheid cannot be compromised to accommodate U.S. interests, and refugee applications must follow standard procedures rather than a preferential programme.
He concluded, “We have not any reason to cut ties with Iran. Our foreign policy is independent, and we will engage the world on the basis of our national interests, not the agendas of great powers.”
