U.S. Sanctions Sudanese Defense Chief for Weapons Procurement Tied to Iran, Russia Deals

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on Mirghani Idris Suleiman, Sudan’s Defense Chief, for his role in securing weapons through deals with Iran and Russia amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Mirghani Idris Suleiman has played a central role in the SAF weapons procurement strategy, coordinating efforts to acquire Iranian drones and negotiating a port-for-weapons agreement with Russia. These arms deals have fueled the SAF's military actions against the RSF, contributing to the escalation of violence, the U.S. said.

Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, “Today’s action underscores the essential role that key individuals like Mirghani Idris Suleiman have played in procuring weapons, perpetuating violence, and prolonging the fighting in Sudan.” The United States aims to disrupt funding channels and prevent external weapons procurement that could prolong the conflict.

As a result of the sanctions, all assets of Idris and any entities he owns at least 50% of, directly or indirectly, are blocked within U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these assets unless specifically licensed by Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Financial institutions or individuals transacting with designated persons, such as Mirghani Idris Suleiman, risk sanctions enforcement actions.

The conflict in Sudan, which begun in April 2023, is turning out to be one of the worst humanitarian crises ever. In a little more than one year, it has taken the lives of more than 18,000 people and left tens of thousands wounded, according to the United Nations. The war has also forced about 14 million people to flee their homes in Sudan including more than three million who fled to neighboring counties, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Sudan's Relations with Russia and Iran

Sudan's military has increasingly turned to Russia and Iran for support amid a cooling relationship with its traditional ally, Egypt. Following the UAE's announcement of a $35 billion investment in Egypt, Sudan's military sought alliances with Tehran and Moscow. Military leaders have restored relations with Iran, which were severed eight years ago.

Russia planned to establish a naval base on the Red Sea, but it has been postponed indefinitely due to the current political crisis, discussions had been ongoing since 2017, involving a long-term lease agreement for Russian military facilities.

The naval base at Port Sudan was expected to be Russia's first outpost in Africa and the Red Sea, strategically positioning the Russian Federation to control the route through the Suez Canal, responsible for approximately 10% of global sea traffic. Additionally, the base was intended to simplify logistics and secure a Russian presence in the Indian Ocean.

Secret flights from Iran began in December, using a plane previously linked to arms deliveries to Syrian fighters. The flights, operated by Fars Air Qeshm, started from Iran’s Mehrabad airport to Bandar Abbas before heading to Port Sudan. Both locations are key for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Since December 2023, Iranian weapons have been increasingly identified on the battlefield, including an Iranian-made Mohajer-6 drone and a ground control station downed in Khartoum, as well as significant quantities of artillery. Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta denied recent receipt of Iranian drones, but another security official confirmed their arrival, stating Iran sought to establish a naval base on the Red Sea in exchange for military assistance, though the Sudanese military paid for the drones outright.