Iran and South Africa have expressed a mutual desire to increase military and defense cooperation, emphasizing shared anti-colonial values as well as mutual support for oppressed nations. This announcement followed a meeting between Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran Armed Forces, and General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of South African National Defense Force in Tehran on August 12, 2025 (Iran Press/IRNA/Tehran Times).
Strengthening Bilateral Defense Relations
General Mousavi, during their discussions, highlighted Iran and South Africa’s longstanding historical ties and Tehran’s support of South Africa’s fight against apartheid as part of a foundation for expanding military collaboration. Mousavi also applauded South Africa’s recent legal actions – specifically filing a case at the International Court of Justice regarding Israeli violations in Gaza which align with Iran’s approach towards justice and human rights (IRNA +2, Tehran Times +2). IRAN Press
General Maphwanya expressed his appreciation to Iran for their support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement and reiterated their country’s pledge to deepening defense ties. He condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza and West Bank as violating international law, and stressed the significance of practical steps that will enhance military cooperation between nations. Mehr News Agency/Tasnim News/IRNA
General Mousavi highlighted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) experience and capabilities that could benefit South Africa as an anti-terror force, hoping that they could translate to joint military projects between their countries.
PressTV + 2 Tasnim News +4 Borna News = 24. He expressed hope that these capabilities would translate to tangible joint military projects between Iran and South Africa in the near future. Historically both militaries have pledged opposition against colonialism, imperialism, and injustice; both leaders pledged opposition against colonialism, imperialism, injustice; both pledged opposition against colonialism imperialism imperialism injustice while Iran has had many anti-terror forces recognized globally with valuable anti-terrorism practices that South Africa could learn from.
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General Maphwanya shared these sentiments, noting the similarities in Iran and South African foreign policies relating to support of oppressed people worldwide and signalling solidarity and unity between their nations. He saw his visit as sending out an important political message about unity. (Wikipedia +7; Tasnim News =7; Tehran Times=+1)
Geopolitical Implications
The strengthening of military relations between Iran and South Africa echoes a wider trend of South-South cooperation in which countries of the Global South seek to increase their defense capabilities and assert sovereignty against perceived Western hegemony. Such cooperation may also have significant ramifications for regional security dynamics across Africa and the Middle East.
Iran has undertaken an aggressive strategy to expand its influence in Africa through military engagement, technology transfers and ideological support. South Africa serves as a key partner in this endeavor due to its membership of BRICS bloc and history as leader of anti-colonial movements – making South Africa an invaluable partner.
Atlantic Council recently conducted research which confirmed this analysis.
Conclusion
As Iran and South Africa undertake plans to increase military and defense cooperation, the international community will closely observe their partnership. Their shared commitment to opposing colonialism and supporting justice for oppressed peoples forms the cornerstone of this alliance, potentially altering future geopolitical alignments and security arrangements between both regions.