Defence minister says clear instructions were given, appoints Inquiry to investigate why not implemented
By Gizem Nisa Demir and ONN correspondent
The South African government has established a board of inquiry to establish whether the instruction of President Cyril Ramaphosa about managing Iran’s role in the Naval exercises currently happening Cape Town may have been misrepresented and or ignored.
The Department of Defence released a statement on Friday morning in which it said the BOI will deliver its findings to the Minister within seven days.
“Following a series of reports containing serious allegations concerning the President’s clear instruction on how Exercise Will for Peace 2026 should be conducted in particular the participation of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“The Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga, would like to place it on record that the instruction was clearly communicated to all parties concerned, agreed upon and to be implemented and adhered to as such,” the statement read.
Ramaphosa had instructed that Iran should be asked to withdraw three Iranian warships from the multinational naval exercise Will for Peace taking place in False Bay this week. Initial reports confirmed that Iran had agreed, but later in the week it seemed the instruction was not followed.
Late on Thursday evening, the US released a statement criticising South Africa over reports that Iranian military forces were allowed to participate in ongoing naval exercises, expressing concern that the move undermines regional security.
In a statement posted on US social media company X, the US Embassy in Pretoria said Washington views the reported decision with “concern and alarm,” alleging that South Africa’s defence minister and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) defied a government order regarding Iran’s involvement.
“Iran is a destabilising actor and state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability,” the embassy said.
The statement further condemned Pretoria for hosting Iranian security forces amid Tehran’s crackdown on protesters.
