South Africa's Tensions with the US Intensify Amid Joint Naval Exercises with China, Russia, and Iran

Wed Jan 14 2026 19:01:30 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

South Africa's military cooperation with China, Iran, and Russia raises concerns over the already strained ties with the US, exemplifying the geopolitical complexities the nation faces.

The participation of South Africa in joint naval exercises with military forces from China, Iran, and Russia is set to further complicate its relationship with the United States. As the drill unfolds, South Africa grapples with balancing its military alliances with the need to maintain strong ties with the US, particularly in light of previous tensions stemming from accusations against Pretoria's foreign policy. Analysts caution that these exercises may influence trade negotiations and impact economic relations with the US.

The participation of warships from China, Iran, and Russia in military exercises hosted by South Africa could further strain the country's relationship with the US, which are already at an all-time low.

A News24 report suggesting South Africa is hoping to persuade Iran to become an observer rather than an active participant points to the sensitivities over how the war games may be viewed by US President Donald Trump.

Vessels flying Chinese, Iranian, and Russian flags have been seen sailing into South Africa's main naval base in Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula in recent days.

The week-long drill got under way on Friday. It is being led by China - and involves other members from an alliance of major developing countries, which when it was launched in 2006 was known as Bric.

It took its acronym from its founding members Brazil, Russia, India, and China - and when South Africa joined four years later an s was added to its name.

With the recent addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the UAE, the alliance is now called Brics+ - and its aim is to challenge the political and economic power of the wealthier Western nations.

South Africa's defence department said the navies were gathering for an intensive programme of joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills, and maritime protection serials. It did not specify which nations would be taking part, only that the aim of the training was to ensure the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities.

Some commentators have questioned why Brics+ members are carrying out military exercises together, given the grouping is an economic alliance.

There are members of Brics+ that are diametrically opposed to each other politically and even have hot border skirmishes between them, defence analyst Dean Wingrin told the BBC.

It is not the first time South Africa has had naval exercises with China and Russia. The first was called Mosi, which means smoke in South Africa's Tswana language, and took place in 2019 with little fanfare.

But by the time Mosi II took place in 2023, Russia had launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the timing of the exercise was heavily criticized. It fell straight over the first-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, says Wingrin. So it raised eyebrows because of the timing.

The DA, the second largest party in the country, has heavily criticised the Will for Peace naval exercise. In a statement, its defence spokesperson Chris Hattingh said it undermined South Africa's non-aligned foreign policy stance.

Some analysts remain optimistic about the exercise's objectives, emphasizing the importance of safe maritime operations for international trade. However, the overarching sentiment suggests that the geopolitical implications of these drills may complicate South Africa's economic relations with the US, which remain vital for its economic stability.