South Africa is set to host a major BRICS Plus naval exercise from January 9 to 16, 2026, marking Iran’s first participation alongside Russia and China. The drills, officially known as Exercise Mosi III and themed “Exercise Will for Peace 2026,” will take place off the coast of Cape Town and involve navies from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
According to the Department of Defence, the exercise will focus on maritime safety, interoperability training, and the protection of critical global trade routes. Officials argue that the programme reflects the expanding role of BRICS Plus in multilateral security cooperation, particularly as emerging economies seek a stronger voice in global governance.
However, Iran’s debut has triggered significant political backlash at home. Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Alliance (DA), contend that hosting sanctioned states undermines South Africa’s long-standing policy of non-alignment and risks worsening relations with the United States. DA defence spokesperson Chris Hattingh warned that the move carries clear geopolitical implications.
“Hosting the military forces of Iran and Russia is not neutral,” Hattingh said. “These are sanctioned states involved in active conflicts and serious human rights abuses. Allowing them to conduct military exercises in South African waters sends a clear political signal, whether government admits it or not.”
The controversy comes amid already strained ties between Pretoria and Washington. Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, joint military exercises with the US have been cancelled, American participation in South Africa’s defence exhibitions has declined, and diplomatic engagement has cooled.
Analysts say South Africa’s closer defence cooperation with Russia and Iran has accelerated the rift, with Washington viewing such partnerships as incompatible with democratic values.
Defence officials, however, maintain the drills are purely practical, emphasizing maritime security and shared operational standards rather than political alignment.
