Egypt, Iran to Hold Regular Political Consultations to Develop Relations
Egypt and Iran agreed on Monday to continue discussions to develop their relations.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in Cairo for talks with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty.
During a press conference with Araghchi, Abdelatty announced the launch of political consultations between Egypt and Iran to discuss bilateral ties.
An Egyptian presidency statement said Sisi and Araghchi stressed the importance of continuing efforts to 'explore prospects of developing ties between their countries.'
Abdelatty confirmed that there was a mutual desire to develop relations.
For his part, Araghchi said this was his fourth time meeting Sisi and that he had met the foreign minister of Egypt over ten times, reflecting Iran's keenness on developing ties.
'There is a desire to expand relations, political consultations and cooperation on the political and economic levels and all others,' he added.
'We have a desire to overcome obstacles that have been impeding these ties. The opportunity is available now more than ever,' he stated.
'Trust between Cairo and Tehran has never been this high,' he noted.
Egypt and Iran had severed diplomatic relations in 1979 before restoring them to the level of charge d'affaires eleven years later. Egyptian and Iranian officials have met several times over the past two years to tackle the possibility of developing relations.
The Iranian presidency in May 2023 ordered that the necessary measures be taken to boost ties with Egypt. Sisi and late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met in Riyadh in November 2023.
Huda Raouf, head of the Iranian Studies Unit at the Egyptian Center for Strategic Studies, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Araghchi's visit to Cairo sought to explore just how much rapprochement can be achieved with Egypt.
Iran has been trying to improve relations in recent years, while Egypt has been reluctant, she noted.
The FM's visit is a notable development, which may lead to greater rapprochement in the future, especially when it comes to tourism, trade and cooperation in regional files, starting with the war on Gaza and Red Sea security, she remarked.
Sisi and Araghchi also discussed the 'rapid developments in the region.'
Sisi expressed Cairo's rejection of the 'expansion of the conflict,' urging a de-escalation 'to avert a regional war that will have dangerous repercussions on the security of all regional countries and their people.'
He therefore underscored the 'importance of the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States' over Tehran's nuclear program, said an Egyptian presidency spokesman.
Sisi stressed the need for an 'immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid.'
Talks between Araghchi and Abdelatty also tackled Gaza, as well as the developments in Syria and Lebanon and Red Sea security.
Abdelatty stressed the need to 'protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the importance of restoring calm in the region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Press
2 hours ago
- Saudi Press
Arafat Illuminated by 20,000 Lighting Units of Unique Designs for Hajj
Arafat Illuminated by 20,000 Lighting Units of Unique Designs for Hajj 3 hours ago Voice reader
Arab News
5 hours ago
- Arab News
IAEA head in Damascus to discuss nuclear power
DAMASCUS: UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said Wednesday his agency and Syrian authorities would begin 'exploring the possibility of nuclear power,' on his first visit to Damascus since the ouster of Bashar Assad. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly been at loggerheads with Syria in the past over what it says are 'unresolved issues' regarding suspected nuclear activities. On his visit, the IAEA chief met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. 'Honoured to meet Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. I recognize his courage in cooperating with full transparency to close a chapter of Syria's past that diverted resources necessary for development,' Grossi said in a post on X. He said the two sides 'will also begin exploring the possibility of nuclear power in Syria.' 'Our cooperation is key to closing outstanding issues and focusing on the much needed help IAEA can provide Syria in health and agriculture,' he added. The IAEA has urged Syria repeatedly to cooperate fully with the agency in connection to a suspected nuclear reactor at the Deir Ezzor desert site. Israel in 2018 admitted carrying out a top-secret air raid in 2007 against what it said was a nuclear reactor under construction at the site in eastern Syria. Syria had denied it was building a nuclear reactor. Grossi visited Damascus in March last year, meeting then president Assad who was overthrown in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Grossi told an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in March this year that he had requested Syria's cooperation to 'fulfil our obligation to verify nuclear material and facilities' and to 'address unresolved issues.' 'Clarifying these issues remains essential to Syria demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security,' he said at the time.
Al Arabiya
5 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US confident in Syrian partners to prevent ISIS resurgence amid troop withdrawal
A US defense official told Al Arabiya English on Wednesday that Washington's vetted Syrian partners are well-trained, well-equipped, and prepared to prevent any resurgence of ISIS in Syria, even as American forces continue to withdraw from the country. Earlier this week, US officials confirmed to Al Arabiya English that at least 500 American troops had been withdrawn from Syria in recent weeks, and several military bases were either shut down or handed over to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, noted that the US would maintain a presence at one of its eight long-standing bases in Syria. The defense official emphasized that the ongoing consolidation of forces is being carried out in a 'safe, deliberate, and professional' manner. 'This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS's appeal and operational capability to carry out attacks both regionally and globally,' the official said, reaffirming Washington's commitment to ensuring the group's enduring defeat. The official also expressed cautious optimism about Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. 'So far, the Syrian government… is saying and doing the right things in going after ISIS,' the official said. 'We will continue to vigilantly monitor the new government and their behavior.' 'We also appreciate Syria's efforts to cooperate with other regional partners who share our desire to extinguish ISIS.' Acknowledging the persistent threat posed by ISIS, the official underscored that US efforts to prevent a resurgence remain steadfast. 'After nearly a decade of partnership with us, [our Syrian partners] are a strong and capable force that will keep ISIS suppressed. Their expertise and previous sacrifices in combatting ISIS are widely known, and they will continue to play a critical role in protecting Syria from ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the future,' the official said. The official also pointed to ISIS's significantly weakened state as a justification for the drawdown. However, US forces will continue to conduct targeted operations against remaining ISIS elements and work closely with local partners to carry out essential counterterrorism missions, including the security of ISIS detention facilities and camps.
