South Africa's strained ties with US face new test - war games with China, Iran and Russia

South Africa's strained ties with US face new test - war games with China, Iran and Russia

36 minutes ago Share Save Mayeni Jones Africa correspondent, Johannesburg Share Save

SA National Defence Force

The participation of warships from China, Iran and Russia in military exercises hosted by South Africa could further strain the country's relationship with the US, which are already at an all-time low. A News24 report suggesting South Africa is hoping to persuade Iran to become an observer rather than an active participant points to the sensitivities over how the war games may be viewed by US President Donald Trump. Vessels flying Chinese, Iranian and Russian flags have been seen sailing into South Africa's main naval base in Simon's Town on the Cape Peninsula in recent days. The week-long drill got under way on Friday. It is being led by China - and involves other members from an alliance of major developing countries, which when it was launched in 2006 was known as Bric. It took its acronym from its founding members Brazil, Russia, India and China - and when South Africa joined four years later an "s" was added to its name. With the recent addition of Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the alliance is now called Brics+ - and its aim is to challenge the political and economic power of the wealthier Western nations.

Bloomberg/Getty Images An Iranian ship was pictured on Friday in Simon's Town

South Africa's defence department said the navies were gath