The claims of a nuclear cooperation between South Africa and Iran were levelled by the Donald Trump administration in an executive order.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station. Photo: ESI Africa
Head of Public Diplomacy Clayson Monyela has dismissed claims of any cooperation with Iran on nuclear energy.
The claims of nuclear cooperation between South Africa and Iran were levelled by the Donald Trump administration in an executive order on 7 February 2025.
Trump orders
It states: “South Africa has taken aggressive positions towards the United States and its allies, including accusing Israel, not Hamas, of genocide in the International Court of Justice, and reinvigorating its relations with Iran to develop commercial, military and nuclear arrangements.”
Three days earlier, on 4 February, Trump signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) “restoring maximum pressure on Iran, denying Iran all paths to a nuclear weapon, and countering Iran’s malign influence abroad.”
SA and Iran
In a post on X (formally Twitter) on Monday, the Iran Observer claimed: “South Africa is exploring the possibility of giving Iran a contract for a nuclear power plant, as the country plans to add 2 500 megawatts of capacity.
6 minute read
18 Feb 2025
08:30 am
