Trump Factor Creating Rifts in BRICS? Naval Exercise Tensions Over Iran Withdrawal Pressure

Source: Aaj Tak | Original Published At: 2026-01-14 07:42:46 UTC

Key Points

• BRICS' inaugural naval exercise 'Will for Peace' near Cape Town faces internal tensions due to US pressure on South Africa to exclude Iran.
• South Africa initially requested Iran to limit its role or withdraw entirely, citing concerns over potential US retaliation under Trump's administration.
• Iran defied expectations by deploying warships alongside Russia, China, South Africa, and UAE, openly challenging Western pressure.
• The exercise highlights BRICS' strategic dilemma between maintaining unity and managing external geopolitical pressures from the US.
• South Africa's balancing act between BRICS commitments and US trade relations reflects broader challenges to the bloc's cohesion.