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South Africa’s joint naval exercises with Iran, China and Russia have prompted a sharp rebuke from senior US lawmakers. Jim Risch is the chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said South Africa is acting as an “adversary.” It is showing “open hostility” toward the United States. He criticised Pretoria for hosting naval drills with what he called America’s chief adversaries. [african.business]
Risch said South Africa’s claim of non‑alignment is contradicted by its actions at sea. He argued that any diplomatic assurances offered by Pretoria “are meaningless” when its military cooperates with geopolitical rivals. He urged the Trump administration to take stronger measures against the South African government. [theprofiler.co.za]
The naval drill, known as Will for Peace 2026, is part of BRICS cooperation and is led by China. It runs from 9 to 16 January in Simon’s Town near Cape Town. Iran’s involvement has been controversial. Reports indicated South Africa had asked Iran to withdraw to avoid escalating tensions with Washington. However, defence analysts later confirmed that Iran’s Naghdi vessel still joined the sea phase. [african.business]
Tensions between Washington and Pretoria are already high. The US House has passed a three year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. However, South Africa’s participation is now uncertain. Lawmakers questioned Pretoria’s alignment after its engagements with Russia, China and Iran. Some members of Congress warned that South Africa’s foreign policy could jeopardise its trade benefits. [surgezirc.co.za]
The US has also increased economic pressure on countries doing business with Iran. President Donald Trump announced a possible 25 percent tariff on nations with such ties. Analysts say South Africa’s limited trade with Iran may reduce the direct impact, but the diplomatic fallout could be severe. [theprofiler.co.za]
The dispute comes amid broader US concerns about South Africa’s geopolitical direction. In 2025, Congress advanced legislation to review bilateral relations and explore sanctions on South African officials. Supporters of the bill argued that Pretoria has aligned itself with authoritarian regimes and anti‑American positions. They cited joint military drills with China and Russia, downgraded ties with Taiwan and engagements with Hamas leadership. [businesstech.co.za]
Risch’s comments reflect a growing push in Washington to reassess relations with Pretoria. South Africa maintains that its foreign policy remains non‑aligned. It says the Will for Peace drill is a routine maritime security exercise. Its officials argue the cooperation improves readiness and protects shipping routes. However, US lawmakers reject this explanation. They insist South Africa’s actions send a clear political message. [theprofiler.co.za]
As pressure mounts, South Africa faces a difficult diplomatic balancing act. The country must manage relations with its BRICS partners while trying to preserve economic access to the United States. The outcome of AGOA deliberations in the US Senate will reveal whether Washington is prepared to impose consequences. [africanews.com]
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