Sudan, Iran Restore Diplomatic Relations

President Ebrahim Raisi receives Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
President Ebrahim Raisi receives Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
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Sudan, Iran Restore Diplomatic Relations

President Ebrahim Raisi receives Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
President Ebrahim Raisi receives Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)

Sudan's Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq arrived in Tehran, the first high-level diplomatic visit between the two nations since they severed ties in 2016.

Sadeq met with President Ebrahim Raisi and his counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

The official Iranian news agency (IRNA) reported that Abdollahian praised the reopening of the Iranian and Sudanese embassies and restoration of diplomatic ties.

IRNA added that Abdollahian expressed Iran's readiness to share with Sudan its capabilities and experiences in the industrial fields, engineering services, modern technology, health, and treatment.

The agency quoted Sadeq as expressing his regret for the severing of relations and briefed the FM on the latest developments in Sudan amid its ongoing conflict.

He cited the Sudanese president's efforts to overcome and resolve challenges peacefully and with the support of neighboring countries and the United Nations.

Sadeq also condemned the "autocratic Zionist regime" for perpetuating crises in Sudan and reiterated his country's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, denouncing the "Israeli war crimes" in the Gaza Strip.

Sudan severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2016, ending long years of military, security, and economic cooperation.

Khartoum pre-empted the decision by closing the Hussainiyat halls and the Iranian Cultural Mission, accusing Iran of seeking to spread the Shiite sect in the country.

Recent reports have said the Sudanese army was suffering from a shortage of weapons as the war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rages on, making it a significant motivation to reestablish relations with Iran.

Last week, the RSF claimed the downing of an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone in Omdurman, Khartoum. It said it was the third such aircraft shot down by its forces, claiming they were being used by the military.

In 2012, Sudan was accused of smuggling Iranian weapons to Hamas through the Sinai Desert, prompting an Israeli raid on the alleged smugglers in Sudanese territory. Israel bombed the Yarmouk Military Industries Complex.

Then Israeli Defense Minister Amos Gilad described Sudan as a "terrorist state" that was being used as a crossing point to transfer Iranian weapons to the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements through Egypt.



Israel Vows to 'Respond Forcefully' After Missile Intercepted from Yemen

Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 09 May 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 09 May 2025. (EPA)
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Israel Vows to 'Respond Forcefully' After Missile Intercepted from Yemen

Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 09 May 2025. (EPA)
Houthi supporters gather around a large Palestinian flag during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 09 May 2025. (EPA)

Israel's defense minister vowed a forceful response after a missile fired from Yemen was intercepted on Friday, in an attack claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.  

"The Houthis continue to launch Iranian missiles at Israel. As we promised, we will respond forcefully in Yemen and wherever necessary," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a post on X.

A ceasefire deal between Yemen's Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the militias had said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the US would stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

The Houthis have attacked numerous vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade, in a campaign that they say is aimed at showing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has been fighting a war in Gaza since a deadly raid by Palestinian group Hamas into southern Israel in October 2023.