NIGERIA TV INFO — INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US Condemns South Africa Over Iran’s Role in Naval Exercises

Washington — The United States has raised serious concerns over reports that South Africa’s Minister of Defence and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) ignored a government directive regarding Iran’s involvement in ongoing naval exercises.

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @USEmbassySA, the US described Iran as a “destabilising actor and state sponsor of terror,” warning that Tehran’s participation in joint military drills undermines maritime security and regional stability.

The statement criticised South Africa for hosting Iranian security forces, accusing Iran of continuing to “shoot, jail, and torture Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity,” values the US said South Africans themselves fought hard to achieve during the anti-apartheid struggle.

The US further questioned South Africa’s moral standing on global justice issues, concluding that “South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cozying up to Iran.”

The development adds to growing diplomatic tension between Washington and Pretoria, particularly over South Africa’s foreign policy posture and its engagement with countries viewed by the US as security threats.