Sudan denies receiving military aid from Iran
March 24, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Lieutenant General Ibrahim Jaber, a member of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, and Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq have refuted claims that Iran provided military aid to Sudan for its internal conflicts.
Renewed diplomatic ties between Sudan and Iran have sparked speculation about their future and potential impact on regional military dynamics, particularly concerning the ongoing clashes between the Sudanese army and paramilitary forces.
In an interview with Sudan Tribune, Jaber, who oversees international cooperation, emphasized the importance of open communication and shared interests in international relations.
He rejected accusations of using the relationship with Iran for political gain, as seen during the previous regime. He highlighted that most Gulf countries maintain diplomatic ties with Iran, suggesting severed relations are the exception.
“Our relationship with Iran won’t hinder our normalization with Israel, which Sudan pioneered,” Jaber added.
He reiterated that “Sudan conducts its foreign policy and international relations based on the best interests of its people. We will pursue normalization when it benefits us and refrain from it otherwise.”
Similarly, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq denied receiving any military support from Iran in a separate statement to Sudan Tribune. He clarified that restoring relations with Iran does not target any specific country or regional or international power.
Al-Sadiq questioned the double standard applied to Sudan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Iran. He argued that Sudan merely resumed existing ties, and talk of Iranian weaponry is unfounded speculation.
He confirmed no agreements regarding military aid exist with Iran, stating, “Currently, we’ve only agreed to reopen embassies.”
Several Arab countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE, maintain good relations with Iran. A senior Foreign Ministry official anonymously commented: “Even Abu Dhabi served as a key trade route with Tehran during U.S. sanctions. Now, they spread rumours about us offering a naval base to Iran, which is demonstrably false. Both Tehran and we have categorically denied this claim.”
Iran assisted Sudan’s early military industry in the mid-1990s. However, those ties were severed before the 2005 peace agreement with the SPLM. Tensions escalated in 2015 due to Iranian actions against Saudi Arabia, leading to severed relations. After that, Sudan developed drone and weapons manufacturing.
Advanced drone production capabilities
A high-ranking Sudanese Air Force officer revealed the country’s development of sophisticated drone manufacturing facilities.
“We’ve established advanced production lines for drones,” the officer said, “and specialists who attended the exhibitions in Dubai and Riyadh witnessed this firsthand”.
He elaborated on Sudan’s strategy: “We’ve focused on developing our own drone production while strategically acquiring components from the global market. This approach has led to highly effective drones, a result of continuous development and field testing.”
Addressing speculation about Iranian involvement, the officer emphasized, “Modern technology makes it nearly impossible to conceal drone production. Images of any Iranian-made drones we might possess would be readily available on satellite imagery and reported in the media. Their design, size, and technical data wouldn’t be a secret.”
He further dismissed the idea of acquiring Iranian Mohajer drones, which are known for their advanced capabilities. “Those drones are considered Iran’s crown jewel,” he explained, “and wouldn’t be readily available for purchase, especially at their high cost. With that kind of investment, we can significantly modernize and enhance our existing drone fleet, which is exactly what we’ve done.”
(ST)