Iran, as a strategic partner, will continue to play a pivotal role in Pretoria’s Middle East foreign policy, as well as continuing consultations in international organizations and forums, increasing multidimensional cooperation, and South-South cooperation, which are considered by both sides in the changing geopolitics of the world.
Samyar Rostami
Over the past three decades, relations have deepened through mechanisms such as the South Africa-Iran Joint Cooperation Commission (JCC) and political, economic, and technical dialogues.
Iran and South Africa have signed more than 90 agreements, memorandums of understanding, and joint statements in the fields of politics, economics, trade, culture, health, sports, science and social defense.
South Africa’s Position in Iran’s Foreign Policy
South Africa is situated at the southernmost point of the African continent, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The country’s special geopolitical position, its extensive and expanding role in African politics and economy, and its membership in the G20, BRICS, and non-aligned countries have practically increased its position for Iran.
Iran has a policy of diversifying foreign relations and moving towards South-South interactions on its agenda. Therefore, Africa is an arena for redefining its geopolitical position in the new world order.
Iran, with some of the world’s largest proven hydrocarbon reserves, is of strategic and geoeconomic importance
In recent years, Tehran has appreciated South Africa’s friendly political positions, especially facilitating and accelerating Iran’s membership in BRICS, South Africa’s positions in defending Palestine, and filing a complaint against Israel in the International Court of Justice. President Pezeshkian has also paid more attention to economic relations and trade cooperation between the two countries, emphasizing the importance of strengthening Iran-South Africa relations in bilateral areas as well as international cooperation, including in the form of BRICS.
Iran’s Role in South African Foreign Policy:
Nelson Mandela’s ideas still cast a shadow over South African politics. The African National Congress (ANC) also acknowledges Tehran’s historic support during the apartheid era.
South Africa has based its foreign policy on the principles of democracy, human rights, multilateralism, and South-South cooperation. It has used foreign policy as a tool to advance national development, regional peace, and global justice.
In line with the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), South-South cooperation, addressing global inequalities, Iran is positioned as a “priority” or ideological partner of South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated Masoud Pezeshkian on his election as the new president of Iran, and South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation also traveled to Iran to participate in Pezeshkian’s inauguration in 2024. From Ramaphosa’s perspective, South Africa will continue to work with Iran to deepen cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels to promote peace, security, global and regional stability, and achieve economic development for the benefit of both countries.
In the geopolitical dimension, Pretoria has become closer to China and Russia in recent years. Greater alignment with Russia and China support for dialogue on Iran’s nuclear issues are forms of strategic support and multilateralism on the BRICS axis and away from Western pressure.
In recent years, with events such as Iran joining BRICS (with South Africa’s support) and support in international forums, Iran is seen as a partner in advancing Pretoria’s national and continental interests.
In the past year, South Africa also expressed its condolences to Iran after the Bandar Abbas explosion. Amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, it called for dialogue and condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran.
In another dimension, South Africa has supported Tehran in several areas by siding with Iran in key international forums at the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and by trying to lift sanctions against Iran.
Supporting the ICJ case against Israel in 2023-2024 is an example of the ideological alignment of the two countries. South Africa is trying to lead the southern African region and, while being pragmatic in relations with Western countries, has an independent face and a special look at Iran as a major hub in the Middle East.
In fact, South Africa has expressed its desire to improve relations with Washington, but has not shown any desire to cut ties with Iran. South Africa’s ruling party has previously stated: “We cannot hide our friends.”
A South African government minister previously said that the country could turn to Russia or Iran to expand its civilian nuclear program. Therefore, the potential for nuclear cooperation is still under consideration.
In the area of peace and security, joint exercises, information sharing, visits, and cooperation between Iran and South Africa in areas such as peace and security, counter-terrorism, and extremism have increased.
Despite Iran’s readiness to expand military and defense cooperation with South Africa, the visit of General Rudzani Maphwanya (Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF)) to Iran in August 2025 is a commitment to “deepen military cooperation.”
Economy and Culture
According to the National Development Plan (NDP) to 2030, South Africa’s foreign policy focuses on solving structural issues such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Iran, with some of the world’s largest proven hydrocarbon reserves, is of strategic and geoeconomic importance.
In economic diplomacy and foreign policy, cooperation between the two countries has expanded from oil trade to diverse economic and commercial areas.
The two countries have also noted the excellent opportunities for exporters and attracting foreign investment, the transfer of technical knowledge, and the other party’s markets and economic roles in the region.
The 10th JCC meeting in August 2023 resulted in agreements on maritime logistics, technology transfer, and health cooperation. The signing of MoUs in April 2024 and high-level visits in 2025 continue to institutionalize relations and synergies in areas such as biotechnology, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. South Africa can be a bridge to further connect Iran to the African continent, and Iran is a good way for Pretoria to access the markets of the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond via the North-South Corridor.
Indeed, cooperation in logistics, direct shipping lines, medical and cultural tourism, agriculture and food security, technical and engineering services, etc., is a consideration of the potential of $ 10 billion trade within the BRICS framework and contributes to the idea of a multipolar world.
Cultural relations between Iran and South Africa are a fundamental part of bilateral relations. Cultural ties between Tehran and Pretoria have expanded in the areas of higher education, media, literature, art, religion, and civilizational studies, forming part of the two countries’ mutual soft power policy in Africa and West Asia. At the multilateral level, cultural cooperation between the two countries continues.
Challenges and Prospects
There are challenges such as geographical distance and high costs of cultural exchange; limited budgets for joint projects; differences in the cultural structures of the two countries, and in cultural relations.
Sanctions and global economic pressure on Iran are a challenge to expanding South Africa’s relations with Tehran. South Africa’s friendship with Tehran has become a problem in US-South Africa relations.
The complexity of international banking, unilateral sanctions, 2025 developments, Trump’s February executive order against South Africa’s “relations” with Iran, and FATF grey list limit relations.
Strengthening the meetings of the Joint Economic Commission, high-level government negotiations, cooperation in the fields of trade and industry and investment, and constructive cooperation and interaction in the field of science and technology will probably help to approach the $8-10 billion horizon in trade.
Iran, as a strategic partner, will continue to play a pivotal role in Pretoria’s Middle East foreign policy, as well as continuing consultations in international organizations and forums, increasing multidimensional cooperation, and South-South cooperation, which are considered by both sides in the changing geopolitics of the world.
Samyar Rostami, а political observer and senior researcher in international relations
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