Chinese, Russian and Iranian warships began a weeklong naval exercise with host South Africa off the coast of Cape Town on Friday, against the backdrop of heightened tensions over the United States’ actions targeting Venezuelan oil shipments.
The Chinese-led drills were organized last year under the BRICS bloc of developing nations and South Africa's armed forces said the maneuvers will practice maritime safety and anti-piracy operations and "deepen cooperation.”
China, Russia and South Africa are longtime members of BRICS, while Iran joined the group in 2024.
The Iranian navy was taking part in the drills while protests grew back home against the Islamic Republic's leadership.
It was not immediately clear if other countries from the BRICS group - which also includes Brazil, India and the United Arab Emirates, among others - would take part in the drills. A spokesperson for the South African armed forces said he wasn't yet able to confirm all the countries participating in the drills, which are due to run until next Friday.
