Strengthening Ethiopia’s diplomatic presence in Iran and launching a Joint Economic Commission between the two countries, expanding visits and increasing cooperation in new areas, can make relations multidimensional and deeper.

After the Islamic Revolution of Iran in 1979, Iran, by prioritizing relations with African and non-aligned countries, especially Ethiopia, pursued a policy of developing economic and political relations and holding meetings of the Joint Economic Commission.

During the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi, military cooperation between the two countries reached its peak. Iran provided its drones and military aid to the Ethiopian government during the Tigray War.

Political and Diplomatic Opportunities

Iran’s relations with Ethiopia have been important in recent years due to the country’s geopolitical location in the Horn of Africa and its proximity to the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb, as well as its status as the host of the African Union headquarters.

Iran sees its presence in Addis Ababa as a means of strengthening bilateral relations, regional ties, South-South cooperation, and cooperation with African institutions. Therefore, using Ethiopia’s potential as a gateway to Africa is part of Iran’s long-term strategy on the continent.

On another level, many in Tehran believe that BRICS has the potential to become a major player in the security and geopolitical arena and challenge Western-dominated systems. Therefore, growing cooperation between Iran and Ethiopia in the context of expanding as new members of the BRICS bloc could balance Western influence and create a multipolar world order.

The meeting and negotiations between President Pezeshkian and the Ethiopian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, were a kind of Tehran’s commitment and readiness to pursue the process of further development and expansion of relations between the two countries.

Despite the political and security challenges in the region, the Iranian embassy has taken steps to strengthen cooperation. Also, Tehran’s position in recent years has been based on the principles of supporting the unity and territorial integrity of countries and mutual respect.

In the past year, developments and meetings among officials have also reflected Tehran’s greater and multidimensional attention to Ethiopia. Apart from strengthening the Iranian embassy,........

© New Eastern Outlook