Did Trump pressure South Africa to get Iran to exit from BRICS war games?
Cooperation areas
Source: India Today | Original Published At: 2026-01-14 06:01:51 UTC
Key Points
- South Africa requested Iran to scale back or withdraw from BRICS naval exercise amid US pressure and tariff threats.
- Iran defied pressure by sending warships, including one from the IRGC, to the 'Will for Peace' exercise off Cape Town.
- Exercise involved BRICS+ members (Russia, China, South Africa, UAE) but excluded India; South Africa deleted social media confirmation of Iran's participation.
- US criticized South Africa's BRICS alignment, with Senator Risch calling it 'open hostility' toward America.
- BRICS solidarity faces challenges as Trump administration threatens tariffs and opposes the bloc's economic policies.