US Accuses South Africa of ‘Cozying Up’ to Iran Amid Protest Clampdown

The United States has accused South Africa of undermining regional maritime security by allowing Iranian military participation in naval exercises held in South African waters, escalating tensions between Washington and Pretoria as Iran faces mounting international condemnation over its violent clampdown on nationwide protests. South Africa’s defense ministry said on Jan. 16 that Minister of Defense and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga had launched an inquiry into Iran’s involvement in the naval exercises, held over the past week in South African waters. The ministry said the inquiry would determine whether South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instructions regarding Iran’s participation were ignored or misrepresented....