South Africa has asked Iran to withdraw its warships from the ongoing “Will for Peace 2026” naval exercises off its coast, a move widely seen as a concession to US pressure following President Donald Trump’s threat of sweeping tariffs on countries trading with Tehran.
The drills, hosted by China and staged near Simon’s Town naval base outside Cape Town, were billed as a BRICS+ exercise involving Russia, China, South Africa, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and other partners.
But Pretoria confirmed that Iran’s three warships, which arrived last week, will not join the live‑fire manoeuvres at sea and will instead take observer status.
The decision came just days after Trump warned on Truth Social that “any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” declaring the order “final and conclusive.”
His remarks rattled Pretoria, which is already facing strained ties with Washington and uncertainty over its future access to US markets.
South Africa has long benefited from the US’ African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which grants duty‑free access for most African exports.
The programme lapsed in September 2025 and is now under debate in the US House of Representatives for a three‑year renewal.
Analysts say Pretoria fears exclusion from the scheme, in part because of its close relations with Iran, Russia and China.
The timing of Trump’s tariff threat, coinciding with the AGOA debate, has heightened pressure on South Africa to demonstrate alignment with US concerns.
The US has also condemned Tehran’s violent suppression of recent anti‑government protests, adding to the sensitivity of South Africa’s decision.
Western governments have criticised the BRICS bloc for staging military exercises at all, arguing the grouping was founded as an economic alliance.
Iran’s participation, since joining BRICS in 2024, has further inflamed tensions.
South African officials insist the request for Iran to step back was made in consultation with Tehran and before the latest protests erupted.
Still, the move underscores Pretoria’s precarious balancing act: maintaining ties with fellow BRICS members while avoiding punitive measures from Washington at a time when its economic lifeline to the US market hangs in the balance.
JN/APA