---
title: "Redi Tlhabi on why SA Army Chief’s Iran visit is a diplomatic disaster in the making"
description: "In this episode, The Readiness Report’s host, Redi Tlhabi, takes apart the Army Chief’s eyebrow-raising trip to Iran, in the very week South Africa is scrambling to ease US tariffs. She calls it an own goal of epic proportions, a foreign-policy free-for-all, and a masterclass in how not to win friends or influence markets."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "THE READINESS REPORT"
author: "Redi Tlhabi"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/redi-tlhabi/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-14-redi-tlhabi-on-why-sa-army-chiefs-iran-visit-is-a-diplomatic-disaster-in-the-making/"
published: "2025-08-14T22:23:49"
updated: "2025-08-14T22:23:51"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 45
---

# Redi Tlhabi on why SA Army Chief’s Iran visit is a diplomatic disaster in the making

> In this episode, The Readiness Report’s host, Redi Tlhabi, takes apart the Army Chief’s eyebrow-raising trip to Iran, in the very week South Africa is scrambling to ease US tariffs. She calls it an own goal of epic proportions, a foreign-policy free-for-all, and a masterclass in how not to win friends or influence markets.

By Redi Tlhabi · Published 15 August 2025, 00:23 SAST · Updated 15 August 2025, 00:23 SAST

## Key points
- In a world where readiness is king, Redi Tlhabi and her crew dissect the art of preparation with the finesse of a chef slicing through a ripe avocado—smooth, insightful, and just a tad spicy.
- The latest episode of The Readiness Report features host Redi Tlhabi discussing pressing societal issues.
- Produced by Emilie Gambade, Bernard Kotze, and Joel Seboa, the podcast aims to inform and engage listeners.
- The show highlights the importance of journalism in safeguarding democracy and encourages support for independent media.
- Listeners are invited to subscribe to the Daily Maverick YouTube channel for more insightful content.

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imSZhR7TFgs)

[Media](https://player.simplecast.com/b9aed046-d80b-4317-a98b-abf661d4efae?dark=false)

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