South Africa's presidency has initiated an inquiry into Iran's participation in naval exercises off its coast, which allegedly took place against President Cyril Ramaphosa's orders.
The South African presidency has announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry comprising three judges to investigate Iran's involvement in naval exercises conducted off Cape Town earlier this year. This decision follows allegations that the Iranian navy took part in the Chinese-led Exercise Will of Peace 2026 despite explicit instructions from President Cyril Ramaphosa to prevent their participation due to the Iranian government's ongoing suppression of protests at home.
The inquiry reflects the growing concerns within South Africa regarding international partnerships, especially with nations like Iran facing criticism over human rights issues. Ramaphosa had previously instructed the defense minister to ensure that Iranian warships were withdrawn from the naval drills, drawing attention to the geopolitical implications of allowing Iranian military involvement in exercises that included significant powers such as China and Russia.
While the full extent of the Iranian naval involvement remains unclear, the United States has condemned the participation, labeling it as
