Iran attacked Sudan, its former close ally, as “shameful” for its decision to pursue normalized relations with Israel.
The historic normalization treaty was announced in a joint statement on Friday, just days after President Trump tweeted that the African country would be removed from its list of countries that sponsor terrorism. Sudan joins the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in inking treaties with Israel this year, a move that has infuriated Iranian officials.
“Pay enough ransom, close your eyes to the crimes against Palestinians, then you’ll be taken off the so-called ‘terrorism’ blacklist,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a Saturday tweet. “Obviously, the list is as phony as the US fight against terrorism. Shameful.”
Prior to the announcement of the normalization deal, Khartoum agreed to pay $335 million to U.S. families and victims of terrorism, specifically the 1998 al Qaeda bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 bombing of the Navy destroyer USS Cole in Yemen.
“The leaders agreed to the normalization of relations between Sudan and Israel and to end the state of belligerence between their nations,” read part of a joint statement released by the three countries. “After decades of living under a brutal dictatorship, the people of Sudan are finally taking charge. The Sudanese transitional government has demonstrated its courage and commitment to combating terrorism, building its democratic institutions, and improving its relations with its neighbors.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Gaza-based terrorist group Hamas also trashed Sudan’s move to normalize relations.
“No one has the right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause,” Abbas said in a statement, according to the Times of Israel.
Iran and Sudan used to be very close allies until 2016 when, under pressure from Iran’s regional foe Saudi Arabia, Sudan cut off diplomatic relations with Tehran.
Iran has repeatedly condemned the UAE and Bahrain for their treaties with Israel. They became the third and fourth Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel, following Jordan (1994) and Egypt (1979).
“How could you reach out your hands to Israel? And then you want to give them bases in the region? All the severe consequences that would arise from this are on you,” said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani after the UAE and Bahrain deals were finalized.
If Congress approves Sudan’s removal from the U.S. list of countries that sponsor terrorism, only North Korea, Syria, and Iran remain.
