Iran’s growing grip on Sudan cause for worry

As Sudan grapples with its ongoing internal conflict, multiple analysts and media have drawn attention to the fact that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has increasingly come to rely on Iranian military support.

This growing relationship is raising alarms, as it mirrors Iran’s interventions in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, where local forces became tools for its own geopolitical goals and regional ambitions.

Recent reports have suggested that Iran has supplied advanced weaponry to SAF, including drones. While ostensibly meant to strengthen the SAF’s position in its fight against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), these weapons serve a dual purpose: securing Iran’s strategic interests in the Red Sea, while expanding its influence in the region.

In Iraq, Iran backed Shi’ite militias like the Badr Brigade after the fall of Saddam Hussein, using them to assert control over the political landscape and undermine national sovereignty. In Lebanon, Iran’s long-standing support for Hezbollah has turned the group into a dominant political and military force, paralysing the Lebanese government and dragging the country into devastating conflicts. In Yemen, Iranian arms and funding have fuelled the Houthi rebellion, prolonging a devastating civil war and destabilising the Arabian Peninsula.

Military support

As the head of SAF and Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, Al-Burhan’s acceptance of Iranian military support will likely come at a significant cost. The increased reliance on Iranian support risks compromising Sudan’s independence in the years to come, as Tehran strengthens its influence over military and political decision-making.

Secondly, by aligning with Al-Burhan, Iran gained greater control over the Red Sea—a maritime chokepoint for global trade. Furthermore, Al-Burhan’s focus on military escalation, backed by Iranian arms, has sidelined political solutions to Sudan’s internal conflict. Al-Burhan recently ruled out negotiations and declared that SAF will only seek a military solution to the conflict.

Iran also appears to be positioning Sudan as a strategic African outpost in its long-standing regional rivalries with Saudi Arabia and Israel. Military analysts note that this mirrors Tehran’s use of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have launched attacks on Saudi territory using Iranian-supplied weapons.

Moreover, Iran’s growing involvement raises concerns about the exploitation of Sudan’s resources. Much like in Iraq and Lebanon, where Iranian-backed groups have diverted national wealth to serve Tehran’s interests, there is growing fear that Sudan’s gold and oil reserves could become targets for the already-isolated Iran’s exploitation.

While SAF benefits from Iranian support, the Sudanese people are paying the price for Al-Burhan’s unwillingness to seek a negotiated end to the conflict. Humanitarian organisations report that millions are now at risk of famine, with ongoing violence preventing aid from reaching those in need.

The international community must act to ensure that Sudan does not become another casualty of Iran’s aggressively expansionist agenda.

Mr Juma is a journalist and political analyst.