Iran’s naval shows strong ties: Sudan

KHARTOUM - Agence France-Presse

The visit of two Iranian naval ships to Sudan reflects strong ties between the countries, Sudan’s military said yesterday after Khartoum denied Iranian involvement in weapons manufacturing.

“Two Iranian navy ships are visiting Port Sudan,” army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad told the official SUNA news agency. “The visit of the two ships will support strong political, security and diplomatic relations between the two states.” Saad said the port call is a chance for Sudanese naval personnel “to see advanced weapons and advanced ships,” which will also be open to the public.

Israel denies claims

Sudan’s links to Iran have come under scrutiny after Khartoum accused Israel of sending four radar-evading aircraft to strike the Yarmouk military factory in the heart of the capital at midnight on Oct. 23.

The factory compound exploded and burst into flames, and speculation followed that Iranian weapons were stored or manufactured there. Israel refused all comments on Khartoum’s allegations about the factory blast.

Sudan’s foreign ministry on Oct. 29 denied that Iran had any involvement in the Yarmouk factory. It accused Israel of “spreading fabricated information.”