Egypt and Iran are continuing to move toward better relations, as talks in Baghdad continue following the reconciliation announcement between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain generally work closely together. Egypt was one of the countries to pursue ties with the Syrian regime and helped pave the way for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to do the same.
“Egypt and Iran have been holding talks in Iraq’s capital Baghdad since March to discuss normalizing relations between the two regional powerhouses,” UAE-based The National reported recently.
“The talks have also touched on reducing tension in places where Iran wields significant influence, such as Yemen, Lebanon and Syria, by supporting allied governments or armed groups, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the negotiations have not been made public,” it reported.
Are Iran and Egypt pursuing ties?
Recent reports reiterate what was unveiled in March. A meeting between the Iranian and Egyptian leaders could be in the cards.
Separately, Egypt and Iran are moving to restore ties, Iran’s pro-regime Tasnim News Agency reported.
“It is very important to restore relations between Iran and Egypt because Egypt is one of the oldest and most civilized countries in the region and the world, [and therefore], its position is very high and important,” the report said. “In this regard, negotiations between Iran and Egypt are ongoing in Iraq, and in the near future, Iran-Egypt relations will be restored and we will see the opening of embassies in both countries and after this action. A meeting between Raisi, the president of Iran, [and] Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be prepared.”
These scant reports indicate that the moves are slow, but they are all part of a new diplomatic era – one that has included reconciliation between Syria and the Arab League, as well as ongoing talks in Moscow between Turkey, Iran and Syria.