President Cyril Ramaphosa says the decision to institute an inquiry into Iran’s participation in recent naval exercises off South Africa’s coast is aimed at establishing what may have gone wrong before major decisions were taken.
The inquiry follows strong criticism from the United States after warships from BRICS partner countries China, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates took part in the maritime drills held near Cape Town earlier this year. The exercises sparked diplomatic concern, particularly over Iran’s involvement, given ongoing geopolitical tensions and international sanctions against Tehran.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 2026 Basic Education Lekgotla in Boksburg on Wednesday. Ramaphosa said South Africa’s role in the exercises was limited to hosting the drills and not directing their composition.
“We raised the issue of Iran with China and said it would be best that they withdraw,” Ramaphosa said.
He explained that as engagements around the exercises unfolded, government realised that it lacked sufficient clarity on how certain decisions were taken and why concerns raised were not adequately addressed.
“Through many engagements, we realised that we needed more information. That is why we constituted a board of inquiry that is going to look very closely at what happened, how it happened and what steps we need to take,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that even when South Africa is not leading multinational military exercises, it still has a responsibility to act proactively as a participant and host nation.
“We ourselves, even if we are not leaders in some of these exercises, can take proactive action as participants,” he said.
The president stressed that the purpose of the inquiry is to ensure that future decisions are based on careful analysis rather than reactionary responses.
“The aim is to take well-calculated and well-analysed steps instead of dancing in the gallery,” Ramaphosa said.
He also emphasised the need for South Africa to re-examine how it approaches future military exercises, particularly those involving international partners, to avoid diplomatic tensions and misunderstandings.
The board of inquiry is expected to assess decision-making processes, communication channels and South Africa’s diplomatic posture in multinational defence engagements, with recommendations likely to shape how similar exercises are handled going forward.
