WANA (Aug 12) – The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces announced the Islamic Republic of Iran’s readiness to expand military and defense cooperation with South Africa, stating that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is now recognized as the world’s largest anti-terrorist force and possesses valuable experience that can be shared with the African nation.

 

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Commander of the South African National Defence Force, met with Major General Mousavi at the General Staff headquarters in Tehran.

 

Referring to regional and global developments, Major General Mousavi described the visit of South Africa’s high-ranking military delegation to Tehran as significant, stressing the political commonalities between the two nations and the need to harness these shared capacities to strengthen bilateral, regional, and international cooperation.

 

The Chief of Staff condemned the crimes committed by the Israeli regime in the region—particularly what he described as genocide in Gaza—expressing appreciation for South Africa’s decision to file and pursue a genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court. He characterized this move as consistent with the Islamic Republic’s justice-oriented policies.

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Commander of the South African National Defence Force, meeting with Major General Mousavi Social media/ WANA News Agency

General Rudzani Maphwanya, Commander of the South African National Defence Force, meeting with Major General Mousavi Social media/ WANA News Agency

Mousavi also pointed to recent acts of aggression by Israel and the United States, calling them violations of all international rules and norms. He stressed that, given the track record of broken promises by Washington and Tel Aviv, Iran’s Armed Forces stand ready to deliver an even stronger response in the event of renewed aggression.

 

He emphasized that Iran’s Armed Forces, including the Islamic Republic of Iran Army and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, possess significant military, technical, and industrial capabilities, which could be shared with South Africa’s armed forces and defense ministry to serve both nations’ national interests and regional and international security.

 

According to the report, the two sides discussed bilateral military relations and cooperation, reaffirming the strategic partnership between the Islamic Republic of Iran and South Africa.

 

For his part, General Maphwanya highlighted the historical support provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran for the South African people’s anti-apartheid struggle, noting that such backing had forged a lasting historical bond between the two nations.

 

He also described South Africa’s hosting of the Iranian Navy’s long-distance circumnavigation fleet as a matter of national pride and underlined the need to take practical steps toward expanding military cooperation.