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.



Arab League to Mark International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People on Sunday

A previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab League to Mark International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People on Sunday

A previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A previous meeting of the Arab League (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League will mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, with an event at its headquarters on Sunday.

The event will bring together permanent representatives to the league, ambassadors, representatives of foreign countries, and Arab and international organizations to emphasize unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their pursuit of legitimate rights, SPA reported.
According to a statement issued by the General Secretariat on Thursday, several Palestinian and international personalities and institutions will be honored at the event in recognition of their solidarity with the Palestinian people, their support for the just Palestinian cause, and their efforts to confront the violations and crimes committed by the occupying forces.
The Arab League emphasized that this year's International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People comes amid ongoing acts of extermination and a brutal Israeli war of aggression lasting over a year. It called for unified international efforts to pressure Israel to cease its aggression and create a political path to end the occupation, achieve lasting peace, and establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.