Iran pulls out of naval exercise with China, Russia at last minute: Report

Iran was asked to withdraw from upcoming naval drills with China and Russia in South Africa, according to local media.

South African outlet News24 reported that Iran will no longer take part in the “Will for Peace 2026” joint maritime drill involving BRICS countries alongside Russian, Chinese and Emirati warships.

It comes amid mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump over countries’ relationships with Iran, threatening a 25 percent tariff on any nation doing business with the regime, which has confirmed that around 2,000 people have been killed in nationwide protests.

Newsweek reached out to South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Iranian Embassy in South Africa and the White House via email for comment.

Why It Matters

The withdrawal of Iranian forces from the joint naval drill highlights, at least in part, the increasing influence of U.S. economic and foreign policy on global military alliances and activities.

For South Africa, a leading BRICS nation, the episode underscores the delicate balance between fostering international cooperation with emerging powers and maintaining access to critical Western trade preferences, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

What To Know

The “Will for Peace 2026” drills, led by China, were set to take place between January 9 and January 16, with the theme of ensuring “the safety of shipping and maritime economic activities,” according to the South African government.

But Tehran was asked to accept observer status and not take part, according to News24.

This came on the same day that Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America. This Order is final and conclusive.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had earlier warned that while Trump would opt for diplomacy, airstrikes remain “on the table.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is “ready for war” and better prepared to battle the U.S. than in its last war, but he has also said he was “ready for negotiations.”

South Africa already has a fractured relationship with America during Trump’s second term. Trump has offered refugee status to white Afrikaner farmers, citing “abuses” such as violence and land seizures, which South Africa has denied. His administration also boycotted the G20 summit, which was hosted there last year.

Meanwhile, Pretoria is currently seeking an extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which grants duty-free access to the American market for certain African exports. It expired last September, but the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill in December to renew it.

South African newspaper the Daily Maverick reports that a South African government official has said the decision for Iran not take part in the drills was made before protests erupted there around two weeks ago.

An Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday that about 2,000 people have been killed in the unrest, blaming people he called terrorists.

What People Are Saying

Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Tuesday: “The government sees security forces and protesters as its children. To the best of our abilities, we have tried and will try to listen to their voices even if some have tried to hijack such protests.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday: “What you’re hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages.”

The South African government said in a statement about the drills that there is a “collective commitment of all participating navies to safeguard maritime trade routes, enhance shared operational procedures and deepen cooperation in support of peaceful maritime security initiatives.”

What Happens Next

The episode may also impact future BRICS+ military cooperation, as the influence of U.S. sanctions and trade pressure appears to limit the ability of member states to engage with sanctioned partners. For Iran, the diplomatic setback coincides with ongoing domestic unrest and a severe economic downturn.

As tensions continue in Iran, Trump signals openness both to diplomacy and military pressure.