Sudan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned Iranian missile strikes that targeted several Gulf nations but notably excluded the United Arab Emirates from its response, highlighting deep diplomatic friction between the two countries.
The ministry’s statement offered support for the sovereignty of what it called “sisterly states,” specifically naming Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain.
The omission of the UAE follows repeated accusations by the Sudanese government that Abu Dhabi is a “hostile state” fueling Sudan’s war by providing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with drones and air defense systems.
Tehran launched the ballistic missile assault against U.S. military installations across the region in retaliation for recent raids by Israel and the United States on Iranian strategic sites.
“The Government of Sudan condemns in the strongest and clearest terms the blatant and illegal Iranian aggression,” the Foreign Ministry said.
While the government’s response was selective, other Sudanese political groups issued broader condemnations. The Civil Democratic Alliance, known as “Somoud,” expressed solidarity with all targeted nations, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, calling for the protection of civilians from “brutal aggression.”
The Sudan Founding Alliance, led by RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, characterized the strikes as “regional and international terrorism.” The group linked Tehran’s actions to its history of supporting Sudan’s former Islamist regime and providing military aid to the Sudanese army.
Yasir Arman, leader of the SPLM Revolutionary Democratic Current, warned that the escalation in the Gulf threatens global energy security and trade.
The regional volatility follows a 12-day conflict in June 2025 between Israel and Iran that subsided only after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.