​Iran's FM prays at Al-Hussein Mosque, dines at traditional restaurant in Cairo - Foreign Affairs

Al-Ahram Weekly

2 days ago

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited key landmarks in Cairo and met with prominent Egyptian figures during a trip to Egypt on Monday.
In a post on the X platform Tuesday morning, Minister Araghchi said he performing Maghrib and Isha prayers at Cairo's historic Al-Hussein Mosque.
He later dined with prominent Egyptian figures at the iconic Naguib Mahfouz restaurant in Khan El Khalili– a venue that hosted President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron during the latter's visit in April.
Among the prominent figures Araghchi dined with were former Egyptian foreign ministers Amr Moussa, Nabil Fahmy, and Mohamed El-Orabi.
The top Iranian diplomat described the dinner conversation as 'very productive.'
Earlier on Monday, Araghchi also met with President El-Sisi, where they discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the current regional conflict.
He also held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, where both ministers expressed a shared interest in strengthening ties.
They agreed to enhance cooperation in key areas, including trade, tourism, and continued political dialogue.
While formal diplomatic ties have yet to be fully restored, with ambassadors still not reappointed, Araghchi noted that close coordination between the two sides continues.
He added that Iran is not pressing for a specific timeline, and will proceed at Egypt's pace, stating, 'When our brothers in Egypt are ready, we will be ready.'
The Iranian foreign minister stated that 'After many years, Iranian and Egyptian diplomacy has entered a new phase.'
إنني سعيد بتواجدي في القاهرة مرةً أخرى. لقد كانت لدي لقاءات مهمة للغاية مع فخامة الرئيس عبد الفتاح السيسي، ومعالي وزير الخارجية بدر عبد العاطي. بعد سنواتٍ طويلة، دخلت الدبلوماسية بين إيران ومصر مرحلةً جديدة. مستوى التفاعل والتعاون السياسي، والأهم من ذلك مستوى الثقة والاطمئنان في… pic.twitter.com/aN3VdWs53S — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 3, 2025
This marked Araghchi's second visit to Egypt since becoming foreign minister in August 2024.
His first trip, in October, was the first by a high-ranking Iranian official to Cairo in over a decade.
In recent years, ties between Egypt and Iran have notably improved following decades of tension rooted in Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution and Egypt's peace agreement with Israel the same year.
Renewed diplomatic engagement in 2023—especially in the wake of the war in Gaza—led to a wave of senior-level talks, reflecting a mutual interest in restoring normalised relations.
'As two influential regional powers with ancient cultures and civilisations, Iran and Egypt share a joint responsibility for maintaining peace, stability, and calm in the region,' Araghchi added in his X post.
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