After Six Years of Strained Ties, What’s Next for Moroccan-Iranian Relations?

After six years of diplomatic deadlock, a breakthrough in Moroccan-Iranian relations may be on the horizon, sparked by a recent meeting in Rabat to explore a fresh start in their ties.

Local media reports have suggested that Arab mediation played a role in this development, following years of estrangement caused by Rabat's accusations against Tehran. Morocco accused Iran of providing financial and logistical support to the separatist Polisario Front through its ally, Hezbollah, and Iran's embassy in Algeria.

Repeated Diplomatic Ruptures

The rift between Morocco and Iran dates back to May 2018, when Morocco severed diplomatic ties with Tehran. Rabat accused Hezbollah of engaging in “military cooperation” with the Polisario Front via Iran's embassy in Algeria, which Morocco deemed a threat to its security and stability.

Morocco maintains its claim over the Sahara region and proposes granting it expanded autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty as a resolution to the conflict. In contrast, the Polisario Front, supported by Algeria, continues to push for a self-determination referendum.

Recently, local newspapers reported that Tehran sent a high-level delegation to Rabat at the end of 2024. The delegation met with Moroccan officials alongside representatives from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Iranian delegation signaled Tehran's intent to reset diplomatic relations with Morocco, returning home with a list of Moroccan demands, including halting support for the Polisario Front and refraining from interference in Morocco’s internal affairs.

Observers believe that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are mediating between Iran and Morocco to restore diplomatic relations, which have been severed and reinstated multiple times over the past four decades, most recently in 2018.

The growing conflicts in the Middle East appear to have pushed Iran toward reviving ties with Morocco, particularly after Tehran improved relations with several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Iran restored its relations with Saudi Arabia in March 2023, while the UAE announced the return of its ambassador to Tehran in 2022, following more than six years of reduced diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic.

However, the relationship between Tehran and Rabat is fraught with complexities due to a long history of ruptures that began in 1979.

At that time, Iran cut ties with Morocco after Rabat welcomed the exiled Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, overthrown in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, who had a personal friendship with Morocco's late King Hassan II.

In 1981, Morocco severed ties with Iran after Tehran declared support for the separatist Polisario Front, while Rabat granted political asylum to the deposed Shah.

Diplomatic ties between Iran and Morocco were restored in 1991 after Tehran reopened its embassy in Rabat, following its decision to withdraw recognition of the “Sahrawi Republic” (Western Sahara) supported by the Polisario Front and Algeria.

This normalization lasted for 18 years until 2009, when Morocco again severed relations, citing Iranian support for the Polisario Front. Ties were reinstated in 2015 but were cut once more in 2018 for the same reasons.

Strategic Interests

Despite the history of fluctuating ties, major shifts in the Middle East, particularly changes in the balance of Iranian influence, may prompt Tehran to reconsider its strategies and seek to expand its presence elsewhere. Africa, where Morocco serves as a key gateway, is likely a priority.

Iranian writer and political analyst Emad Abshenass noted that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s government aims to establish diplomatic and economic relations with African nations, which represent strong markets for Iranian goods.

Speaking on the evening news show DW Massaiya, Abshenass emphasized that Iran has no strategic interest in supporting the Polisario Front and lacks influence in North Africa compared to regions like Lebanon or Iraq.

He argued that the issue was fabricated by “Israel” and the United States to create a rift between Morocco and Iran.

Abshenass believes that the Pezeshkian government is seriously working to normalize relations with countries where “Israel” and the United States have hindered the strengthening of ties with Tehran, including Morocco.

“Israel and the United States have exerted significant pressure to create divisions between Iran and countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Sudan, Bahrain, and others, aiming to sever their diplomatic relations with Tehran,” he said.

The Iranian journalist acknowledged that the Polisario Front has had connections with some groups linked to Iran. However, “Iran has no practical interest in supporting the Polisario Front, and its political reach does not extend to Morocco.”

“Sometimes, due to political disputes, one country may support a group while another country supports a different group. But this does not mean there is an intention or principle to overthrow or undermine the sovereignty of another state.”

Conditional Normalization

For his part, Khaled Shayyat, a professor of international relations at the University of Wadjdah, stated that Iran’s effort to normalize diplomatic relations with Morocco is “a natural development.”

Speaking to Al-Estiklal, Shayyat said Moroccan-Iranian relations have experienced instability since political power in Tehran shifted to the Shia Islamists.

“This political shift in Iran clashed with Morocco’s stance on the Shah’s case, particularly Rabat’s humanitarian decision to host him,” he added. 

“This issue has, in one way or another, influenced bilateral relations over the years.”

“In reality, Iran and Morocco are geographically distant yet share common ground in many respects. Both are Islamic countries with significant overlap in their perspectives on various issues, such as the Palestinian cause and matters concerning the Arab and Islamic world,” according to Shayyat.

The professor noted that this geographical distance has historically served as a factor of alignment between the two nations, despite differences in political systems and strategic priorities. “

“Though their strategic objectives differ, this dynamic is a natural factor shaping their bilateral relations.”

Regarding whether Morocco’s growing ties with “Israel” might increase its rift with Iran, Shayyat said, “I don’t believe that is the case. Iran is well aware that Morocco has legitimate motives in this matter.”

“Morocco maintains a straightforward condition in its relations with other countries: respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Shayyat also pointed out that Morocco’s foreign minister had previously visited Iran and conveyed Morocco’s concerns about Hezbollah’s potential involvement with the Polisario Front in undermining the kingdom’s internal security.

“Iran's response, denying direct influence over Hezbollah and evading a clear answer to Morocco, reflected a lack of accountability, prompting Rabat to sever ties with Tehran.”

In early May 2018, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita visited Tehran and held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Javad Zarif, during which he informed him of Morocco’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Iran.

Since then, new developments have emerged, according to Shayyat. “Hezbollah's struggles and efforts to rebuild have greatly reduced its capacity to exert influence in distant regions like North Africa, especially concerning the Polisario Front.”

“These factors could serve as a suitable foundation for a rapprochement between Morocco and Iran, paving the way for the restoration of diplomatic ties and the establishment of a relationship grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and strategic choices,” Shayyat concluded.