Trump Must Force Al‑Burhan Out to Stop Iran
By: Natalia Cuadros
Al‑Burhan must go—and power must be handed over to a genuinely civilian government, independent of Islamist organizations.
Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, America accomplished what many dismissed as impossible: it crippled Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and forced Iran onto the defensive, halting its destabilizing push for regional dominance. But while America won a crucial battle, the war against Iranian aggression is far from over. Tehran’s malign influence now thrives through missile programs, proxy militias, and sprawling terror networks stretching beyond Syria, Iraq, and Yemen—reaching, alarmingly, into Sudan.
Since April 2023, Sudan has spiraled into a devastating humanitarian catastrophe. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdel Fattah al‑Burhan, are locked in a bloody struggle against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti. What began as a power grab has obliterated any hope of democratic transition and threatens to plunge an already fragile region into further chaos and mass suffering.
In April 2024, the RSF and allied factions announced a parallel government in Nairobi. Several African leaders cautiously recognized this step as a potential path away from unending conflict. Yet despite these diplomatic overtures, the violence continues to rage. Egypt and Saudi Arabia—regional heavyweights with immense influence—must move beyond rhetorical statements and act decisively. They have a responsibility to pressure both sides toward a ceasefire, facilitate genuine national reconciliation, and ensure the restoration of civilian governance as Sudan’s ultimate goal.
Yet the greatest danger lies in Al‑Burhan’s deepening alliance with Tehran—and with Islamist organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood, which is linked to Hamas. Al‑Burhan and the army leadership are merely a front for the organization that seeks to return to power. This unholy alliance transforms Sudan from a war‑torn state into a launching pad for Tehran’s regional ambitions—and for Islamist movements with extremist pedigrees.
Iran has long sought to penetrate Sudan’s military establishment to expand its influence along the Red Sea, a vital global trade corridor. Now, fresh intelligence shows Iranian drones, advanced weapons, and tactical advisers flowing into Al‑Burhan’s forces. This dangerous escalation threatens not just Sudan’s civilian population but also global shipping routes critical to world commerce. It risks transforming Sudan into yet another Iranian‑backed warzone, offering extremist groups fertile ground to thrive and further destabilize the region.
Trump confronted Iran’s terror apparatus with unmatched determination, tearing up the flawed nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions, and building regional coalitions that boxed Tehran in. Now, Sudan is the new front in this wider battle. Al‑Burhan is not a bulwark against chaos, as some claim—he is a willing partner of Tehran whose forces stand accused of civilian massacres, scorched‑earth campaigns, and even the use of chemical weapons. These atrocities were documented and confirmed by the U.S. State Department as recently as May 2025.
Sanctions alone will not bring Al‑Burhan to heel. A broader international coalition—America, Europe, Latin America, the African Union, and the Arab League—must work in concert to isolate Al‑Burhan diplomatically, freeze his regime’s assets, and choke off the flow of Iranian arms. More importantly, Al-Burhan must be excluded from any future governing arrangement in Sudan. Allowing him to remain in power guarantees continued bloodshed, cements Tehran’s foothold on the African continent, and leaves Islamist fronts like the Muslim Brotherhood in place.
Instead, power must be transferred to a national civilian government independent of Islamist organizations and movements. Only an administration untainted by extremist networks can give Sudan a real chance to rebuild, heal, and chart a future that serves all its citizens—rather than shelters proxies of Tehran and Hamas-linked movements.
A stable, sovereign Sudan free from Iranian manipulation and Islamist infiltration is in the direct interest of the United States, its allies, and the broader international community. Failure to act decisively now will create a permanent Iranian front in Africa, disrupt vital trade corridors in the Red Sea, fuel extremist recruitment, and condemn millions of Sudanese civilians to endless war.
Trump built his legacy on refusing to appease tyrants and standing firm against Iranian terror expansion. That legacy now faces a new test: ensuring that Al‑Burhan, Tehran’s loyal proxy and a figurehead for Islamist ambitions, is forced out once and for all. Egypt and Saudi Arabia must back this push, and Europe must support it, ensuring Al‑Burhan is treated not as a legitimate partner but as an international pariah whose crimes have disqualified him from any future role.
The Sudanese people have endured enough betrayal, slaughter, and foreign interference. They deserve a chance to rebuild their nation under civilian leadership, free from warlords, Iranian drones overhead, and Islamist frontmen. America’s strategic interests and moral principles demand one clear course of action: Al‑Burhan must go—and power must be handed over to a genuinely civilian government, independent of Islamist organizations. Only through unwavering resolve, diplomatic unity, and pressure backed by credible force can Sudan reclaim its future and deliver another decisive blow to Iran’s terror empire.
About the author: Natalia Cuadros
Natalia Cuadros is a Spanish reporter and specialist in African affairs.
