Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, expressed optimism about the strengthening of diplomatic ties with Egypt. He conveyed these sentiments during a meeting with foreign dignitaries attending the 37th International Conference on Islamic Unity held in Tehran yesterday.

According to Tasnim News Agency, Amir-Abdollahian said the two countries are on the path to normalisation following diplomatic developments.

“Those efforts resulted in a meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries in New York in recent days. We have made good agreements,” he stated, referring to the talks with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on the sidelines of the 78th annual session of the UN General Assembly on 20 September.

He also said that agreements between Tehran and Cairo would result in a “good development” that benefits both nations.

#Iran FM to Islamic unity conf. participants: US hegemony days numbered

Iran’s FM Amirabdollahian and top directors of the foreign ministry took part in the 37th International Islamic Unity Conference in the Iranian capital Tehran on Monday.

During the meeting, Amirabdollahian… pic.twitter.com/SFv5RVqqex

— Iran Foreign Ministry 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) October 3, 2023

The foreign minister also touched on Egypt’s prominent role among Muslim-majority countries, stating: “The role of Egypt, the role of Al-Azhar [University] and the role of Egyptian political officials, who are now fighting against extremism, and correction of the past mistakes in Egypt, encouraged us to engage in new dialogue, interaction and cooperation with Egypt.”

READ: Iran shares common interests with Egypt, says Abdollahian

PressTV reported that Amir-Abdollahian also said that the Islamic Republic welcomes a new chapter in its dealings with Muslim countries, amid its on-going rapprochement with regional rival Saudi Arabia and pressures for these countries to normalise relations with Israel.

“We welcome the new page in relations with Islamic countries, but we believe that deals … should proceed based on protecting Palestine’s interests and considering the Zionist regime as illegitimate,” he said.

The friction in Iran-Egypt ties can be traced back to 1979 when Egypt became the first Arab country to recognise Israel and signed the controversial Camp David Accords, prompting the newly-established Islamic Republic to sever diplomatic ties with Cairo.

OPINION: Resuming relations with Iran will be a test for Egypt sovereignty