The Sudanese army has rejected a new Iranian proposal for a permanent naval presence in the Red Sea, specifically off the coast of Port Sudan, in exchange for continued military assistance in the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudanese sources revealed on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

According to a report by Sudan Tribune, Monitored by "Barran Press," the Iranian request for a permanent deployment of warships is part of ongoing negotiations between the two countries regarding a potential defense cooperation agreement.

While the Sudanese army has rejected the request, sources indicate that Iran continues to supply Sudan with drones.

The report states that Sudanese Islamic leaders with ties to the Iranian regime attempted to mediate an agreement between the Sudanese army and the Iranian government. However, discussions held in April failed to reach a consensus due to opposition from Sudanese military leaders.

The Sudanese leadership's rejection of Iran's request stems from concerns about potential backlash from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Western nations.

The report further reveals that Iran subsequently revised its proposal to establish a dual-use commercial and military port, which Sudanese officials also rejected. Despite the rejection of the naval base, Iranian military support for Sudan is evident.

Tehran began sending swarms of drones to Sudan shortly after the restoration of diplomatic relations. Sudan's former Foreign Minister, Ali al-Sadiq, met with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, in early February of the previous year.

The report also discloses previous discussions between Sudanese and Russian officials regarding the potential purchase of Russian Su-30 and Su-35 fighter jets. However, these talks stalled due to new conditions imposed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan regarding the establishment of a Russian base in Port Sudan.

Despite the halt in negotiations for fighter jets, Sudan's Assistant Commander-in-Chief, Yasser al-Ata, announced in late May that Sudan and Russia are still planning to sign several military and economic agreements in the near future, according to Sudan Tribune.

In a separate development, the report highlights Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov's promise of providing "unrestricted, qualitative military assistance" to the Sudanese government in April.

This assistance is likely to include the deployment of Russian forces in Sudan, indicating high-level coordination between Russia and Iran to supply the Sudanese army with drones, heavy artillery ammunition, and aircraft missiles.

This support comes at a time when the Sudanese army is facing shortages after the RSF seized key military depots in Khartoum, according to the report.