US envoy slams South Africa's 'non-alignment' stance over Iran war; questions warming ties with China

US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell III has reignited a diplomatic row between Washington, DC, and Pretoria after the latter's "non-alignment policy" over the ongoing war in Iran. The American envoy called out South Africa's decision to host Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh.

He went on to declare that the South African government had made a “choice”, ostensibly in opposition to the US, also calling out Deputy President Paul Mashatile's bid to deepen ties with China. The post became concerning since it directly defies South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent warnings regarding diplomatic protocol.

"The Government of South Africa rolls out the red carpet for Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, while Deputy President Mashatile is in Beijing deepening ties with China," Bozell noted in the post. "Pretoria calls this 'non-alignment.' We call it what it is: a choice. The South African people deserve an honest conversation about who their government is choosing to stand with. #NotSoNonAligned," he furthered.

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Bozell challenges Ramaphosa's order

The latest public outburst from the American envoy came just a month after the ambassador-designate was issued a démarche by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for dismissively undermining a South African court ruling.

In April this year, during a credence ceremony in Pretoria, Ramaphosa issued a stern warning to Bozell along with 19 other envoys. At that time, the president stressed that diplomats must rely on “quiet, constructive diplomacy,” and “never criticise their host countries publicly and in a confrontational manner”.

However, Bozell's latest post blatantly ignores this directive. The American envoy also talked about Deputy President Mashatile's working visit to Beijing. Addressing the China International Supply Chain Expo on 22 June 2026, Mashatile reaffirmed South Africa’s unwavering commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership with China.