00:00South Africa has ordered an investigation into Iran's participation in recent naval exercises off its coast following sharp criticism from the United States and reports the involvement went against presidential instructions.
00:16The Defense Ministry said Defense Minister had launched a board of inquiry to determine whether President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to exclude Iranian warships was ignored or misrepresented.
00:28The drills held off Cape Town involved naval vessels from China, Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
00:36While the Defense Force said China-led exercises were aimed at protecting ship lanes and maritime trade, Washington condemned Iran's presence as particularly uncautionable amid Tehran's violent crackdown on protesters.
00:52The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Pretoria, which is trying to repair strange relations with the United States.
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