Iran joins BRICS naval exercise despite pressure

Iran sent a warship to a BRICS naval exercise off Cape Town despite requests to withdraw; South Africa briefly confirmed participation on social media then deleted the notice, and a media briefing is scheduled for Friday.

An Iranian warship took part in a BRICS naval exercise off Cape Town despite earlier requests that it withdraw. South Africa's military briefly confirmed the ship's participation on social media and then deleted the announcement without offering an explanation. China organised the operation and has described it as a first multilateral BRICS exercise called "Will for Peace 2026." Officials have postponed public briefings, with one now scheduled for Friday, the final day of the exercise. Key points: - Iran sent a corvette to the BRICS naval manoeuvres near Cape Town, participating alongside warships from Russia, China, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. - The South African military confirmed participation in a social media post and later deleted that post; officials have provided no explanation for the deletion. - China has presented the drills as the BRICS group's first multilateral exercise and named it "Will for Peace 2026." - A media briefing by South African officials is scheduled for Friday, the final day of the exercise. Summary: The participation by an Iranian warship has prompted criticism from some international and domestic figures and highlighted diplomatic tensions around the exercise. The drills are underway near Cape Town, public details remain limited, and a scheduled media briefing on Friday is the next planned public update.