politics
March 18, 2026
South Africa has no reason to cut ties with Iran
South African Foreign Ministry Director-General Zane Dangor has rejected US calls for Pretoria to cut ties with Iran
TL;DR
- South Africa will not cut ties with Iran, according to Foreign Ministry Director-General Zane Dangor.
- Dangor stated Pretoria cannot be drawn into sphere-of-influence politics initiated by great powers, including the US.
- The comments were a response to criticism from the new US ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell III, regarding South Africa's ties with Iran.
- The US ambassador was summoned for "undiplomatic remarks" and later apologized.
- South Africa's relations with Washington have deteriorated since January 2025, with issues including asset freezes, tariffs, and pressure to withdraw a case against Israel at the ICJ.
- South Africa rejects the demand to withdraw its case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
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