What is Sudan's Purpose of Diplomatic Approach with Iran?

Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Sadiq Ali meets in Uganda with Iran's First VP Mohamed Mokhber (SUNA)
Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Sadiq Ali meets in Uganda with Iran's First VP Mohamed Mokhber (SUNA)
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What is Sudan's Purpose of Diplomatic Approach with Iran?

Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Sadiq Ali meets in Uganda with Iran's First VP Mohamed Mokhber (SUNA)
Sudanese Foreign Minister-designate Sadiq Ali meets in Uganda with Iran's First VP Mohamed Mokhber (SUNA)

Sudanese and Iranian officials have agreed to expedite their steps to resume relations and restore diplomatic representation.

The recent rapprochement raised questions about the reasons for that path amid the war that has been raging in the country for nine months, claiming the lives of thousands and displacing millions.

On Saturday, Sudan's Foreign Minister-designate Ali al-Sadiq met in Uganda with the Iranian First Vice President, Mohamed Mokhber, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Kampala.

A Sudanese statement stated that the officials discussed restoring bilateral relations and accelerating steps to reopen embassies.

Sudan severed its relationship with Iran in 2016, but last October, its foreign ministry announced the resumption of diplomatic relations. No additional steps have been taken since then.

Observers questioned the purpose of the recent Sudanese-Iranian announcement about accelerating efforts to resume bilateral relations.

A former senior official in the Sudanese Islamic Movement believed that the Islamists were working to exploit the relationship with Iran, aiming to weaponize the army.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat, on condition of anonymity, that the army needs to be armed in light of the support Rapid Support Forces is receiving.

The source added that Iran was fully prepared to restore relations with Sudan after the fall of President Omar Al-Bashir's regime.

However, the transitional civil government headed by the Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok did not want to take the step.

Burhan was conservative to the point of categorically rejecting any step toward restoring relations between the two countries, especially since he began to establish ties with Israel, said the source.

Political analyst Abu Dhar Ali al-Amin said Burhan is facing pressure from the US and the UK in favor of the Forces of Freedom and Change and Rapid Support Forces.

Amin indicated that the rapprochement towards Iran aims to create a balance through Iran, China, and Russia and arm the military.

He believes Sudan is trying to address the issue, which requires effort, time, and persuasive reasons from the Iranians, noting that severing the relations surprised Tehran.

Sudan attributed its severing of relations with Iran in 2016 to its regional interventions on sectarian grounds and its attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

The analyst agreed with the Islamist leader that weapons are a direct motive for restoring relations with Iran, noting that "international developments" regarding dealing and resuming regional relations may have formed an incentive for the Sudanese army commander to look in a similar direction.

According to Amin, Iran will provide the Sudanese army with drones to continue its battles against the Rapid Support Forces.



Hezbollah’s Drones: A Key Gamble in the War with Israel

A photo released by Israeli media shows damage to Netanyahu’s house window
A photo released by Israeli media shows damage to Netanyahu’s house window
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Hezbollah’s Drones: A Key Gamble in the War with Israel

A photo released by Israeli media shows damage to Netanyahu’s house window
A photo released by Israeli media shows damage to Netanyahu’s house window

Drones have become Hezbollah's main weapon in its war with Israel. Their importance lies not just in hitting targets, but in some drones’ ability to avoid detection by radar and the Iron Dome defense system.

In contrast, Israel has successfully intercepted most missiles before they reach their targets, according to the Israeli military.

From September 17 to late October, 76 drone launches were recorded, with over 170 drones of different sizes, some reaching up to 145 kilometers into southern Tel Aviv's outskirts.

Israeli media reported that more than 1,200 explosive drones have entered Israel since Hezbollah’s northern offensive last year. The Israeli security forces are still struggling to respond to this “deadly threat.”

Hezbollah has a large fleet of drones, with various types for different tasks. Military expert Brig. Gen. Khalil Helou explains that all of Hezbollah’s drones are Iranian-made, designed for long distances.

They were brought into Lebanon in parts, then assembled and modified to suit the needs of their operations near Israel.

Helou told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah uses three types of drones.

The first type is the small Hudhud reconnaissance drone, measuring 3.5 meters long with a 5-meter wingspan. It flies at low altitudes, up to 100 kilometers, which allows it to reach Tel Aviv.

The Hudhud is equipped with cameras and data storage and can be programmed to fly over target sites and return to its base in Lebanon. It can also be controlled remotely to adjust its mission.

Helou added that these drones are launched from special airports in Jezzine (southern Lebanon) and Hermel (northern Bekaa), as well as similar facilities in Syria. The drones are wheeled and require runways for takeoff and landing.

This week, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that many drones, especially those used for intelligence, managed to reach Haifa and even go beyond without being detected by Israel’s alert systems while crossing from Lebanon.

The Israeli Air Force did not attempt to intercept them.

Israeli research centers believe the Hudhud drones, recently used to monitor sites in Israel, are among the newest models. These electric drones are silent, have no thermal signature, and can fly up to 70 kilometers per hour.

They can take off and land vertically without a runway and are equipped with high-quality cameras that transmit live footage. Their small size and short radar waves make them hard to detect and track.

Hezbollah has previously released videos showing Hudhud drones filming strategic locations in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and other areas, adding them to a “target bank” for attack drones.