China, Russia, and Iran Begin Military Exercises in South Africa Under BRICS Plus Framework

Source: stiripesurse.ro | Original Published At: 2026-01-10 18:00:22 UTC

Key Points

• China, Russia, and Iran launched a week-long joint military exercise in South African waters under the BRICS Plus cooperation framework.
• Brazil, Egypt, and Ethiopia participate as observers in the maritime drills focused on 'security and interoperability'.
• The exercises occur amid heightened tensions between the Trump administration and BRICS Plus countries, which now includes Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Ethiopia.
• South Africa's military denies the drills contradict its neutral foreign policy, emphasizing routine cooperation with both BRICS and the US.
• This marks the first major BRICS Plus military activity since the bloc's formal expansion in 2023.