Egypt and Iran Explore Enhanced Bilateral Relations, Presidents Meet in Riyadh
Raisi says no barriers to closer Egypt-Iran ties
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stated on Saturday that Iran is fully open to enhancing relations with Egypt. The remarks were made during a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi at a joint Arab-Islamic summit on Palestinian issues in Riyadh. According to a statement on the Iranian president’s office website, Raisi described Egypt as a “friendly country” and underscored the importance of unity among Muslim nations.
In the meeting, Raisi emphasized the global call for the continued opening of the Rafah crossing into Gaza to facilitate aid delivery, while blaming the US and Israel for obstructing this process. President Al-Sisi, on his part, expressed Egypt’s readiness to establish “real relations” with Iran and mentioned that relevant Egyptian ministers have been assigned to work towards deepening bilateral ties.
The talks also touched on the ongoing situation in Gaza, with Sisi noting Egypt’s significant impact from the conflict. Additionally, Raisi met with Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, discussing potential diplomatic exchanges and the resumption of relations to benefit the Muslim world. The meetings signal a potential thaw in Iran-Egypt relations, which were severed in 1980, and coincide with recent moves to resume diplomatic ties between Iran and Sudan.
