Why Iran and Ethiopia Forged a Security Alliance

Ethiopia and Iran have inked a major deal that will see their national police agencies cooperate on security and intelligence. For Iran, it’s a chance to cement influence in the Horn of Africa. It has already proven its value to the Ethiopian government, supplying drones that helped the Ethiopian military turn the tide of the Tigray war. For Ethiopia, still reeling from the Tigray war and ethnic unrest, Tehran’s support could prove vital in quelling internal militias and prepping for potential conflict with Eritrea. What’s most striking is Ethiopia’s balancing act—courting both Iran and its rival, the UAE, in a pragmatic bid for stability and survival. In a region riddled with civil wars and rival interests, Addis Ababa is playing a high-stakes game of diplomacy that could reshape alliances across Africa and the Middle East.