Relationship dossier
Iran
Morocco
Relationship assessment
Repeated diplomatic ruptures and disputes over the Western Sahara conflict have strained Iran–Morocco relations.
Iran toward Morocco
-40Iran recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a step opposed by Morocco. Iran rejected Morocco’s 2018 accusation that it supported Hezbollah assistance to the Polisario Front.
Morocco toward Iran
-40Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2018, accusing it of supporting Hezbollah’s alleged assistance to the Polisario Front. Morocco had also broken relations with Iran in earlier periods amid political disputes.
Overall relationship
-40Repeated diplomatic ruptures and disputes related to Iran’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco’s allegations concerning Iranian support for the Polisario have shaped a substantially adversarial relationship. Periods of restored ties have not prevented renewed confrontation.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iran and Morocco have had a strained relationship, including repeated breaks in diplomatic ties. Morocco severed relations with Iran in 2018, accusing it of supporting Hezbollah’s alleged assistance to the Polisario Front; Iran rejected the accusation. Earlier ruptures also reflected disagreements over Iran’s regional policies and its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Areas of tension
- Iran’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, opposed by Morocco.
- Morocco’s 2018 allegation that Iran supported Hezbollah assistance to the Polisario Front; Iran rejected the accusation.
Key developments
Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Iran, citing Iran’s recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
Morocco severed diplomatic relations with Iran, accusing it of supporting Hezbollah assistance to the Polisario Front; Iran rejected the accusation.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of Iranian government involvement in alleged Hezbollah support for the Polisario Front is disputed.
- The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation during periods when diplomatic ties were restored are unclear.