Sudan resumes diplomatic ties with Iran after seven-year break

October 9, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that it has resumed diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, following high-level contacts between the two countries in recent months.

The ministry said that the Sudanese and Iranian sides “have agreed to take the necessary steps to reopen their embassies soon and exchange official delegations to discuss ways to develop joint cooperation.”

The two parties agreed to expand cooperation in various fields that would benefit both countries and promote regional security and stability.

Sudan severed diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 in solidarity with Saudi Arabia after the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran. However, the intensity of Sudan’s opposition to Iran declined after Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations in March 2023.

Last July, Tehran and Khartoum announced their intention to restore diplomatic relations. Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq met with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they discussed ways to “immediately” resume diplomatic relations.

Before severing ties, Sudan had close relations with Iran, especially in the military field. In 2012, ousted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited Tehran and described relations between the two countries as “well-established.” Iranian ships often docked at Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

According to a May 2014 Swiss Small Arms Survey report, Iran played a major role in supporting Sudan’s arms production sector.

(ST)