War on Iran: How Algeria and Morocco manoeuvre the fallout

War on Iran: How Algeria and Morocco manoeuvre the fallout Submitted by Adlene Meddi on Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:57 The war is affecting the politics and economies of the Maghreb's rivals in opposite ways, but both see the crisis as a tipping point in the balance of power Smoke from the fire at the Tehran Oil Refinery covers the skyline of Tehran on 8 March 2026 (Atta Kenare/AFP) Off The Maghreb is following the US - Israeli war on Iran and its expansion across the Middle East with particular interest, and for good reason: the geopolitical and economic implications of this major crisis will certainly impact regional balances in North Africa as well. Behind the bombs raining down on Tehran, the future of Western Sahara , alliances in the Sahel and the rivalry between the two North African heavyweights, Algeria and Morocco , are also being played out. Tehran has traditionally been allied with Algeria - and to a lesser extent Tunisia - while considering Morocco a hostile actor.