The top military commanders of Iran and South Africa met in Tehran on Aug. 12 and agreed upon concrete steps toward expanding defense cooperation. Iran’s Chief of General Staff Maj. Gen. Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi and South Africa’s National Defense Force Commander Gen. Rudzani Maphwanya discussed their mutual national interests and described their partnership as a strategic priority. According to Al Mayadeen: “Both sides described the visit as a turning point in Tehran-Pretoria relations.”
Iran is a new member of the BRICS, whereas South Africa is one of the original five nation members.
Mousavi described the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) as the world’s largest anti-terrorism force, with valuable operational experience to share with South Africa. He said that they “possess significant capabilities in various military, technical, and industrial fields” which “can be utilized in cooperation with the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense of South Africa to serve their mutual national interests and enhance regional and international security.”
