The United States might be able to benefit from the recent thaw in relations between Egypt and Iran.
The two countries cut off relations in 1979, but over the past month numerous reports have abounded suggesting they are ready to re-establish ties and open embassies in each other’s capitals.
If the Egyptians begin a dialogue with the Iranians, this could serve the interests of the U.S., which is seeking to pressure Iran into abandoning its nuclear program.
Egypt is interested in boosting its role as a powerful broker in the Middle East, and is already playing a key role in the mediations between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Egypt has used its good offices, for example, whenever the U.S. didn’t want to engage directly in negotiations,” said Prof. Walid Kazziha, a political scientist at the American University in Cairo.
“The Egyptians volunteered their diplomatic services to the parties and absolved the U.S. At the same time, Egypt is seen in the region as one of the major powers that have blocked the expansion of the Islamic political tide and in that respect they have also serviced a very important need for the U.S. in region,” he said.
Egypt is hopeful it can dissolve tensions between Iran and its neighboring countries over Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran is also under tremendous pressure from the international community and from its neighbors for the same reason, and aligning itself with a Western ally could help alleviate Western pressures on Iran.
Also, establishing full diplomatic relations with Egypt could help Iran allay fears in the Arab world that Iran is seeking Shi’ite domination in the Middle East.
Ambassador-level talks took place at the end of May between Iran and the United States over the security situation in Iraq. These talks reportedly paved the way for a rapprochement between Iran and Egypt, an ally of the U.S.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadi Nejad said in mid-May his country would be willing to open an embassy in Cairo if Egypt indicated it wanted to restore relations.
In response, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu Al-Gheit sent a message to Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki to say Cairo was ready to engage in negotiations to restore relations.
But the takeover of Gaza by the Palestinian Hamas organization has caused a setback in the warming relations between Iran and Egypt. Egypt is accusing Iran of backing Hamas and indirectly harming its national security.
Abu Al-Gheit described the takeover as a threat to Egyptian national security.
Egypt and Iran cut diplomatic relations following the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979 and after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel.