FM: Iran Welcomes Restoring Relations with Egypt
FM: Iran Welcomes Restoring Relations with Egypt
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian expressed the hope that Iran and Egypt would adopt reciprocal steps to enhance ties, and said that Tehran welcomes expansion of relations with Cairo.

Amir Abdollahian stated that Tehran and Cairo are in direct contact with each other through their interests sections.

The minister noted that some countries are making efforts to encourage Iran and Egypt to improve their ties.

“We have always welcomed the development of relations between Tehran and Cairo,” the senior diplomat continued, adding, “The heads of our missions – interests sections – in Tehran and Cairo have good meetings. There is good access to the authorities of both countries.”

He further expressed hopes that the administration of President Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi’s neighborliness policy would lead to improved relations with “the friendly and brotherly country of Egypt through fresh and mutual steps”.

Earlier, an Iranian lawmaker stated that the embassies in Tehran and Cairo will reopen in the near future. Member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Fadahossein Maleki highlighted the significance of revival of diplomatic ties between Iran and Egypt.

The MP also noted that President Rayeesi and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will hold a meeting after the reopening of embassies.

Iran and Egypt cut diplomatic ties in 1980 after Cairo admitted the former Shah of Iran and recognized Israel. In recent years, Iran has announced readiness to mend relations with Egypt by settling differences on certain issues.

Iranian officials have described Egypt as an important country in the Islamic World and hailed developing cooperation between Tehran and Cairo.

Back in July, Amir Abdollahian noted that there have been no direct negotiations between Tehran and Cairo so far, but efforts are underway to normalize relations with the Arab country.

“Egypt is an important country in the Islamic world and the development of natural relations between Tehran and Cairo is in the interest of both nations,” the top official stated.

In January, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kana’ani said that Amir Abdollahian and el-Sisi had held positive talks on the sidelines of a regional summit about Iraq, held in Jordan in December 2022.