Russia, Iran and China join naval drill in South Africa — as tensions with US rise
The military drill began Friday and is set to last one week. REUTERS
Russia, Iran, and China took part in joint naval drills with South Africa on Saturday, drawing international attention as geopolitical tensions continue to rise between several BRICS nations and the United States.
The week-long exercise began Friday off the coast of Cape Town and is being led by China. It follows closely on the heels of a U.S. operation in which American authorities seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean north of Europe.
China, Russia, and South Africa are founding members of BRICS, the economic alliance established in 2009 that positions itself as an alternative to U.S.-led global influence. Iran officially joined the group in 2024. President Trump has previously criticized BRICS nations for what he described as “anti-American” policies and last year warned the bloc it could face an additional 10% tariff.
The naval exercise has raised questions among analysts and critics, who argue that a group formed around economic cooperation has little justification for conducting military drills. South Africa’s largest opposition party echoed those concerns, saying the exercise undermines the country’s claims of neutrality and could damage its international standing.
Labeling the drills as “BRICS cooperation” is misleading, the Democratic Alliance said in a statement. The party, which is the second-largest member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s governing coalition, accused the government of strengthening military ties with “rogue and sanctioned states” such as Russia and Iran. It warned that South Africa risks becoming “a pawn in global power struggles.”
South African officials rejected the criticism, defending the exercise — dubbed “Will for Peace 2026” — as a necessary show of cooperation. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Capt. Nndwakhulu Thomas Thamaha, commander of South Africa’s joint task force, said the drills demonstrate shared commitment among participating nations.
“In an increasingly complex maritime environment, cooperation like this is not optional — it is essential,” Thamaha said.
Russia, China, and South Africa first held joint naval drills in 2019, but this year’s exercise comes amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and several BRICS countries.
South Africa is navigating a delicate relationship with Washington as it faces scrutiny over its ties to Russia, Iran, and China while also seeking to protect its trade relationship with the United States, one of its largest trading partners. According to South Africa’s News24 agency, the government has reportedly sought to limit Iran’s role in the exercise, pushing for observer status amid concerns about how the drills could be perceived by President Trump.
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