Iran’s Africa Policy in the Aftermath of the Nuclear Deal’s Collapse

Öz

This study examines the transformation of Iran-Africa relations following the United States’ withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018 through a qualitative analysis of documents and primary sources. Diplomatic engagement, which had reached its peak during the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, significantly declined as the government of Hassan Rouhani reoriented foreign policy toward negotiations with the West. However, after the effective collapse of the nuclear agreement, relations began to revive during the presidency of Ebrahim Raisi in a more systematic and structured manner. The central argument of this study is that this revival should not be understood merely as a coincidental diplomatic outreach, but rather as the outcome of a calculated diversification strategy aimed at overcoming the economic pressure and diplomatic isolation produced by sanctions. At the same time, this argument does not disregard the ideological and institutional foundations of Iran-Africa relations. While the struggle against sanctions and the attempt to mitigate their adverse effects constitute the primary motivations behind bilateral engagement, the ideological affinity shaping the relationship remains visible. Although the interaction between Iran and African states is also sustained by a discourse of ideological partnership, this ideological dimension functions not as a determining factor but rather as a complementary one. The findings demonstrate that Iran’s Africa policy is built upon an architecture in which economic, security, and diplomatic instruments mutually reinforce one another. Institutional mechanisms such as trade centers, innovation offices, bilateral agreements, and multilateral summits have contributed to the consolidation of Iran’s presence, gradually transforming it from episodic engagement into a more structural framework of cooperation. Nevertheless, the gap between Iran’s strategic expectations and the outcomes achieved highlights the constraints imposed by the continent’s fragile security architecture as well as the counter-moves of both regional actors and Western powers. Within this context, Iran-Africa relations emerge as a critical arena in which Iran’s capacity to cope with the global sanctions regime is tested.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Iran
• Mohajer-6
• Raisi
• JCPOA
• BRICS

Nükleer Anlaşmanın Çöküşü Sonrası İran’ın Afrika Siyaseti

Öz

Bu çalışma, ABD'nin 2018 yılında nükleer anlaşma olarak da bilinen Kapsamlı Ortak Eylem Planı’ndan (KOEP) çekilmesinin ardından İran-Afrika ilişkilerinin nasıl bir dönüşüm geçirdiğini nitel belge ve kaynak analizi yöntemiyle incelemektedir. Ahmedinejad döneminde zirveye ulaşan diplomatik ilişkiler, Ruhani hükümetinin dış politikasını Batı ile müzakere ekseninde kurgulamasıyla birlikte belirgin biçimde sönümlenmiş; ancak nükleer anlaşmanın fiilen çöküşünün ardından Reisi döneminde yeniden ve daha sistematik bir biçimde canlanmıştır. Çalışmanın temel iddiası, bu canlanmanın rastlantısal bir diplomatik açılımın ötesinde, yaptırımların yarattığı ekonomik baskı ve diplomatik izolasyonu aşmaya yönelik hesaplı bir çeşitlendirme stratejisinin ürünü olduğudur. Ancak bu iddia İran-Afrika ilişkilerindeki ideolojik ve kurumsal zemini yok saymamaktadır. Buna göre, her ne kadar yaptırımlara karşı mücadele ve yaptırımların olumsuz etkilerini berhava etme iki taraf arasındaki temel motivasyon olsa da ilişkilerin ideolojik ortaklık temelinde ilerlediği gözlerden kaçmamalıdır. Her ne kadar ilişkiler ideolojik bir ortaklık söylemiyle beslenmiş olsa da bu ideolojik boyut belirleyici değil, tamamlayıcı bir işlev üstlenmektedir. Çalışmanın bulguları, İran'ın Afrika politikasında ekonomik, güvenlik ve diplomatik araçların birbirini tamamlayan bir mimari oluşturduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Ticaret merkezleri, inovasyon ofisleri, ikili anlaşmalar ve çok taraflı zirveler aracılığıyla kurumsallaşan bu varlık, geçici temastan yapısal bir iş birliği zeminine doğru evrilmektedir. Bununla birlikte İran'ın stratejik beklentileri ile elde edilen sonuçlar arasındaki mesafe, kıtanın kırılgan güvenlik mimarisinin ve hem bölgesel aktörler hem de Batılı güçlerin karşı hamleleriyle kesişen dinamiklerin belirleyiciliğini gözler önüne sermektedir. Bu çerçevede İran-Afrika ilişkileri, İran'ın küresel yaptırım rejimiyle başa çıkma kapasitesini test eden kritik bir alan olarak değerlendirilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İran
• Muhacir-6
• Reisi
• JCPOA
• BRICS

Kaynakça

1. ADF Magazine. (2024 Kasım). Report: Iranian weapon deliveries back Sudanese Armed Forces. https://adf-magazine.com/2024/11/report-iranian-weapon-deliveries-back-sudanese-armed-forces/
2. Africanews. (2023 Temmuz 13). Iranian president accuses West of promoting homosexuality. https://www.africanews.com/2023/07/13/iranian-president-accuses-west-of-promoting-homosexuality/
3. Bagheri, R. ve Lob, E. (2022). Rouhani's Africa policy: Disengagement, 2013–21. Middle East Policy, 29, 154–173. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12618
4. Bagshaw, J. (2026 Şubat 3). Iran's exports to Africa jump 66% year on year in first nine months. ExportFocus Africa. https://exportfocusafrica.com/2026/02/03/irans-exports-to-africa-jump-66-year- on-year-in-first-nine-months/
5. Behyaar Sana't Sepahan. (2025 Mart 16). توسعه صادرات محصولات دانش بنیان در زیمبابوه [Zimbabve'de bilgi tabanlı ürünlerin ihracatının geliştirilmesi]. https://behyaar.com/توسعه-صادرات-محصولات-دانش-بنیان-در-زیم/
6. Caner, M. (2024). İran'ın Afrika politikası 2023. S. Tamçelik ve T. Demirtaş (Ed.), Afrika Yıllığı 2023 içinde. YTB Yayınları.
7. Caspian News. (2023 Temmuz 14). Iran signs cooperation deals with Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya. https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/iran-signs-cooperation-deals-with-zimbabwe-uganda- kenya-2023-7-14-25/
8. Hernandez, M. (2022 Ekim 18). US: Iran sent Ethiopia military drones in 2021 in violation of UN resolution. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-iran-sent-ethiopia-military-drones- in-2021-in-violation-of-un-resolution-/2714908

9. Iran International. (2025 Mayıs 13). Iran expands African footprint as it seals security deal with Ethiopia. https://www.iranintl.com/en/202505132479
10. Islamic Republic News Agency. (2021 Ağustos 6). Pres. Raisi emphasizes need for furthering cooperation with African continent. IRNA. https://en.irna.ir/news/84428706/Pres-Raisi-emphasizes-need- for-furthering-cooperation-with-African
11. Jamshidi, M. [@MhmmdJamshidi]. (2023 Ağustos 24). Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran ozv-e BRICS shod [İslam Cumhuriyeti İran BRICS'e üye oldu] [Tweet]. X. https://x.com/MhmmdJamshidi/status/1694617631234363852
12. Keynoush, B. (2021 Haziran). Revolutionary Iran's Africa policy (Special Report). King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies.
13. Lawal, S. (2026 Ocak 23). Why is South Africa upset about Iran joining BRICS naval drills? Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/23/why-is-south-africa-upset-about-iran-joining-brics- naval-drills
14. Mehr News Agency. (2025 Eylül 21). Role of aid dependence in Sierra Leone's vote against Iran. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/236689/Role-of-aid-dependence-in-Sierra-Leone-s-vote-against- Iran
15. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran. (2023 Temmuz 13). Opening of Iran's innovation and technology office (IHIT) in Uganda. https://en.mfa.ir/portal/newsview/724916/Opening-of-Irans-innovation- and-technology-office-in-Uganda
16. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Embassy in Freetown. (2025 Şubat 11). A look at Iran-Sierra Leone bilateral relations as Iran celebrates national day. https://sierraleone.mfa.gov.ir/en/newsview/761259
17. Mitzer, S. ve Oliemans, J. (2021 Ağustos 11). Iranian Mohajer-6 drones spotted in Ethiopia. Oryx. https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2021/08/iranian-mohajer-6-drones-spotted-in.html
18. Musiwa, O. (2025 Ekim 6). Iran, Zimbabwe ties strengthen through medical tourism opportunities. The Herald Online. https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/iran-zimbabwe-ties-strengthen-through- medical-tourism-opportunities/
19. Ngcobo, K. ve Maseko, N. (2025 Ağustos 15). South Africa row over army chief's pro-Iran comments. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62n9yrynjyo
20. Onditi, B. (2026 Mart 6). How drones are redefining conflicts in the Horn of Africa. Horn Institute. https://horninstitute.org/how-drones-are-redefining-conflicts-in-the-horn-of-africa/
21. Sajjadi, N. ve Vaez, H. (2025 Aralık 8). Iran, Africa take step toward scientific and health alliance. Iran Press. https://iranpress.com/content/313721/iran-africa-take-step-toward-scientific-and-health- alliance
22. Sanusi, O. (2025 Mayıs 9). Niger and Iran sign security cooperation agreement to combat transnational threats. West Africa Weekly. https://westafricaweekly.com/niger-and-iran-sign-security- cooperation-agreement-to-combat-transnational-threats/
23. ShanghaiEye魔都眼. (2023 Ağustos 25). 'We'll make history!' Iran's Raisi and Saudi FM speak after six nations invited to join the BRICS [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=o986opi8F44
24. Press TV. (2023a Temmuz 13). Zimbabwe, Iran ink 'record' 12 MoUs as President Raeisi ends Africa tour. https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/07/13/706996/Iran-president-three-nation-Africa-tour- Zimbabwe-
25. Press TV. (2023b Ağustos 10). 'Great steps' taken to consolidate ties as Iran FM visits South Africa. https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/08/10/708685/Iran-South-Africa-FMs-meet-sidelines-joint- economic-commission
26. Radio Farda. (2018 Ekim 18). 'Look East!,' says Khamenei, disappointed with Europe's efforts to save JCPOA. https://en.radiofarda.com/a/look-east-says-khamenei-disappointed-with-europe-s- efforts-to-save-jcpoa/29550531.html
27. Tambo, O. (1979 Şubat 13). Letter from Oliver Tambo to Ayatollah Khomeini [Mektup]. African National Congress. https://www.anc1912.org.za/letters-1979-letter-from-oliver-tambo-to-ayatollah- khomeini/
28. Tehran Times. (2022a Nisan 8). 10 African countries importing Iranian-made COVID vaccines: Health minister. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/471456/10-African-countries-importing-Iranian- made-COVID-vaccines-health
29. Tehran Times. (2022b Ağustos 16). Iran to establish 7 new trade centers in Africa by Mar. 2023. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/475710/Iran-to-establish-7-new-trade-centers-in-Africa-by-Mar- 2023
30. Tehran Times. (2022c Mart 5). Neighbors are priority for Iran: President. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/470722/Neighbors-are-priority-for-Iran-president
31. Tehran Times. (2023 Ocak 22). Tehran, Harare set to expand economic ties. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/481118/Tehran-Harare-set-to-expand-economic-ties
32. Tehran Times. (2024a Ağustos 20). IHiT in Kenya lays the ground for success in new markets: Official. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/502718/IHiT-in-Kenya-lays-the-ground-for-success-in- new-markets-official
33. Tehran Times. (2024b Ocak 2). Pharmaceutical companies to access East African markets. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/493210/Pharmaceutical-companies-to-access-East-African- markets
34. Tehran Times. (2025a Kasım14). Burkina Faso seeks Iran's expertise in combating drugs. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/520367/Burkina-Faso-seeks-Iran-s-expertise-in-combating-drugs
35. Tehran Times. (2025b Mayıs 4). Iran, Africa ink trade, investment deals in four key sectors. https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/512591/Iran-Africa-ink-trade-investment-deals-in-four-key-sectors
36. Wasike, A. (2023 Temmuz 12). Kenya, Iran ink new deals as Iranian leader Raisi kicks off rare Africa tour. Anadolu Agency. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/kenya-iran-ink-new-deals-as-iranian- leader-raisi-kicks-off-rare-africa-tour/2943914
37. Yizezew, Y. (2025 Kasım 12). Iran's drone supply network to Eritrea and Ethiopia's national security imperative. Horn Review. https://hornreview.org/2025/11/12/irans-drone-supply-network-to-eritrea- and-ethiopias-national-security-imperative/