Sudan’s army-aligned government has reopened its embassy in Tehran, resuming diplomatic relations with Iran after an eight-year break.
The embassy was inaugurated on Tuesday by Sudan’s acting foreign minister, Hussein Awad Ali, during a ceremony attended by Iranian and Sudanese officials, as well as diplomats from various countries.
Sudan had severed ties with Iran in 2016 following the storming of the Saudi embassy in Tehran by protesters, a decision made by then-President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted in 2019.
In October 2023, Sudan’s new government announced plans to restore relations with Iran, leading to the exchange of ambassadors and the reopening of embassies.
The rapprochement comes as Sudan’s army-aligned government scrambles for allies during its 15-month conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan’s civil war has become a stage for regional powers vying for influence. Seeking external support, Sudan’s military has turned to Iran for drones to gain an advantage in the conflict.
Following the restoration of relations last year, a delegation of Sudanese officials visited Iran to purchase Iranian-made drones after a UN arms trade embargo expired in October.
Sources revealed to Iran International that the delegation aimed to acquire operational knowledge of the drones, which have been utilized in conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
