TEHRAN – Signs of a thaw in relations between Morocco and Iran are emerging, with the Moroccan news outlet Ya Biladi reporting that an Iranian “security envoy” has engaged in discussions with Moroccan officials in Rabat.

Ya Biladi revealed that an Iranian envoy, accompanied by representatives from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, met with their Moroccan counterparts in Rabat earlier this month. The discussions focused on the possibility of re-establishing diplomatic ties, which were severed in 2018.

While the report emphasized that it is too early to anticipate a full resumption of relations, the Iranian envoy reportedly conveyed Morocco's conditions for re-engagement to his superiors for consideration. “If the Moroccan requests are met positively, diplomats are expected to follow up on the matter,” the report added. 

The ongoing conflict over Western Sahara has been a significant source of tension between Morocco and Iran. Since the end of Spanish colonial rule in 1975, the Polisario Front has been advocating for the independence of Western Sahara, while Morocco insists the region is an integral part of its territory, proposing an autonomous governance arrangement for the Polisario. 

The 1991 ceasefire agreement brought a halt to the armed conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front, but the issue remains unresolved. 

Morocco's decision to sever diplomatic relations with Iran in May 2018 was based on accusations of Tehran's support for the Polisario Front, a claim that Iran vehemently denied. These recent talks, however, suggest a potential willingness on both sides to explore a path towards reconciliation

Recent administrations in Iran have repeatedly emphasized the need to establish unity among Muslim countries in the face of Western and Zionist aggression.