Iran did not obtain approval to set up a military installation on Sudan’s coast along the Red Sea. A report in a prominent business daily references a Sudanese intelligence officer, Ahmed Hassan Mohammed, to describe the issue. The disclosure underscores ongoing debates about regional influence and security arrangements in the Horn of Africa and the broader Middle East.
According to the intelligence official, Tehran intends to leverage a naval presence on Sudan’s Red Sea shoreline to gather intelligence, monitor maritime activity, and project power more effectively. In exchange for such access, Iran has reportedly offered to provide Sudan with capabilities including helicopter carriers, unmanned aerial systems, and helicopters to bolster the Sudanese armed forces. This potential arrangement would mark a significant shift in the bilateral security dynamic in the region and could alter the balance of naval influence along a critical shipping lane.
Officials suggest that establishing a naval foothold would enable Iran to tighten its grip on the Red Sea corridor, extending strategic reach and interoperability with allied or proxy forces operating nearby. The move is seen by observers as a way to diversify Iran’s strategic depth and secure a listening post near vital international routes.
Mohammed noted that the offer was rejected in order to prevent frictions with the United States and Israel, highlighting the sensitive nature of any security accord that could provoke broader regional tensions. The decision also reflects a cautious approach to maintaining existing diplomatic lanes and avoiding actions that might complicate Sudanese relations with key global powers.
Previously, a former Permanent Representative of Iran to the United Nations, Emir Saeed Iravani, stated that Tehran does not supply weapons to Houthi forces in Yemen and does not control armed groups in the Middle East that could participate in attacks on United States or Israeli military facilities. Though these claims are part of an ongoing narrative, analysts stress the importance of verifying such statements against independent reporting and on-the-ground developments.
Earlier commentary from U.S. officials accused Iran of contemplating or supporting attacks by Houthis against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, amplifying concerns about maritime security, international shipping lanes, and the potential for escalation in the region. The evolving situation prompts foreign policy observers to weigh Tehran’s long-term calculations against the immediate costs and risks of escalating tensions with Washington and its allies. (Source: Wall Street Journal)