After years of rupture, Iran seeks to mend ties with Morocco

After four years of severed diplomatic relations, Iran is eager to open a new chapter with Morocco. The expanding conflict and rising tensions in the Middle East have prompted Tehran to reach out to countries that have normalized relations with Israel.

It has come to light that an Iranian security delegation, joined by representatives from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, met with their Moroccan counterparts in Rabat in early November. During this meeting, the Iranian envoy conveyed Morocco’s conditions back to Tehran for review and response. If Tehran responds positively to these demands, it could pave the way for renewed diplomatic ties.

On May 1, 2018, Rabat cited Tehran’s support for the Polisario Front, facilitated through the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah, as the reason for breaking off relations. Morocco had also cautioned Iran against supplying drones to the Front’s armed militias.

Notably, the late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian hinted at a potential reconciliation with Morocco during a meeting with Islamic countries' ambassadors in June 2023.

Morocco and Iran previously resumed dialogue in 2014 in Tunisia after diplomatic ties had been severed since 2009. This process led to the successful exchange of ambassadors.