Overview
- Iranian ships remained in False Bay and the corvette Naghdi was shown at sea during the exercise, after a SANDF post confirming its participation was published and then deleted.
- Presidency and government sources said Tehran was asked to withdraw or reduce its role to observer status to protect AGOA talks under tariff threats from President Donald Trump.
- The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria condemned any Iranian role, citing terrorism concerns, and noted reports that the defence minister and SANDF disregarded a government directive.
- China organized the first multilateral BRICS naval drill, “Will for Peace 2026,” off Simon’s Town with ships from China, Russia, South Africa and the UAE, as other BRICS members observed.
- One Iranian vessel was linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, heightening human-rights and reputational risks given the deadly crackdown on protesters in Iran.