By Gizem Nisa Demir
ISTANBUL (AA) - The US on Thursday criticized 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 defense minister and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) defied a government order regarding Iran’s involvement.
“Iran is a destabilizing 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.
“It is particularly unconscionable that South Africa welcomed Iranian security forces as they were shooting, jailing, and torturing Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves.”
The embassy also rejected any characterization of engagement with Iran as neutrality, saying: “South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cozying up to Iran.”
It added that allowing Iranian forces to operate in South African waters or expressing solidarity with Tehran “isn’t ‘non-alignment’: it’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism.”