Dhaka, Aug. 17 -- South African Army Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya is facing backlash in his home country following the release of alleged comments he made during an official visit to Iran, which analysts say could further complicate the already turbulent relations between South Africa and the United States.

Last week, a 30 percent trade tariff on South African goods entering the US kicked in, alarming business owners in the country.

That's despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's attempts to appease Trump, including by leading a delegation to the White House in May.

Meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Major-General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi in Tehran on Tuesday, Maphwanya is reported to have stated that the two countries had close ties, ...