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Sudan-Iran relations

Sudan	Iran

Sudan-Iran relations refers to diplomatic, economic, and military relations between Sudan and Iran. Since 1989, Iran and Sudan have maintained close relations.

History

Following the Islamist-supported military coup led by Omar-Al Bashir, Sudan sought close relations with Iran. The growing ties help continue the Islamisation of Sudan. In the post-Cold War era, Sudan remains Iran's closest ally in Africa. Sudan is currently the only African state ruled by Islamists. The two states, despite the "Sunni-Shiite divide" quickly became close allies. In 1991, Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani made an official visit to Khartoum, accompanied by more than 150 Iranian officials." He declared the "Islamic Revolution of Sudan, alongside Iran's pioneer revolution, can doubtless be the source of movement and revolution throughout the Islamic world."

Economic relations

In 1991, evidence of increasing economic and military links between Sudan and Iran was revealed. High-level Iranian leaders have numerous made visits to Sudan, during which a trade agreement between the two countries have been established. Economic bilateral relations continue to be a focus area of the Sudan-Iran relationship. Iran is suspected of supplying Sudan with one million tons of oil each year.

Military relations

In November of 1993, Iran was reported to have financed Sudan´s purchase of some 20 Chinese ground-attack aircraft. Iran pledged 17 million in financial aid to the Sudanese government, and arranged for USD 300 milion in Chinese arms to be delivered to the Sudanese army.

It was reported that Iran sent up to 2,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Sudan. Iranian Defense Minister, Ali Akbar Torkan met with the commander of the Sudanese armed forces to negotiate assistance further military assistance. Sudan has since modeled its army after Iran's Revolutionary Guards, who had trained them.

In 1995, a military delegation from Iran visited Khartoum to assess Sudan's military needs. Iran provided Sudan with armored cars, heavy artillery, and radar equipment. In the following year, the two countries signed an agreement to broaden the scope of their cooperation.

In April 1996 the Government was reported to be granting the Iranian navy the use of marine facilities in exchange for financial assistance for the purchase of arms although, in response to a Sudanese request for military aid in 1997, Iran provided assistance only with military maintenance. The West has expressed deep concern over the growing military ties between Sudan and Iran. Sudan has been implicated in training at least 10 paramilitary camps in collaboration with the Iranian military and Iran-backed terrorist groups. By 1993, the U.S. Department of State named Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism.

In 2008, Sudan and Iran signed a military cooperation agreement. The agreement was signed by Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar and his Sudanese couterpart Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein.

During the 2011 Libyan Civil War, Western intelligence agencies reported Iran's Quds Force stole dozens of Russian-made surface-to-air missiles from Libya and smuggled them across the border into Sudan. According to the reports, the weapons included SA-24 missiles, which were sold to Libya in 2004. Intelligence officials also believe that other weapons were seized from Gaffadi and are now held at a secret facility run by the Iran's Revolutionary Guards in Northern Darfur.

Cultural and Diplomatic ties

During the last week of April 2006, Sudanese President Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir met with a number of Iranian public figures in Tehran, including the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In a joint news conference with al-Bashir on 24 April, Ahmadinejad explained to the public his belief that "expansion of ties between the two countries serves the interests of both nations, the region, and the Islamic world, particularly in terms of boosting peace and stability." Before the conference ended, al-Bashir congratulated Iran for its successful pursuit of "nuclear power for peaceful purposes," while Ahmadinejad restated his opposition to the participation of UN Peacekeepers in Darfur.

President Omar-al Bashir visited Iran in July 2011 and President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited Khartoum in September 2011 to discuss "strategic regional and international dimensions."

In October 2011, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated that Sudan-Iran relations are founded on "Common Islamic values." Bashir later stated Sudan would adopt an exclusive Islamic constitution and strengthen Islamic law in the government.