South Africa Army Defies President Over Iran Participation in Naval War Games

The participation of Iran in joint Naval games off the South African coast has triggered a backlash between the country’s presidency and the military.

President Cyril Ramaphosa had ordered the withdraw of three Iranian warships from the multinational naval exercise code named ‘Will for Peace’ taking place in False Bay this week.

According to the South African presidency, the Iranian ships participation would damage the country’s relations with the United States.

A senior South African official said on Monday that the defence ministries of all the countries taking part in exercise ‘Will for Peace’ – notably including the Iranian defence ministry – had agreed that Iran would withdraw from the key sea phase of the exercise, which had been about to begin on Tuesday.

However, the three Iranian navy ships, which arrived last week, were still in False Bay. The Iranian corvette IRIS Naghdi appeared to have sailed out to sea with warships of the other participating countries – South Africa, China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates – to take part in the exercise.

The South African defense Ministry posted a statement on its Facebook page on Tuesday, saying naval vessels had left Simon’s Town for the sea phase of the exercise.

“The four naval vessels forming part of the exercise consist of the United Arab Emirates corvette, Bani Yas, Russian corvette, Stoikiy, South African frigate, SAS Amatola, Iranian corvette, Naghi and Chinese destroyer, Tangshan,” the SANDF said, counting four ships, but actually listing five.