Iran-Egypt normalization gaining momentum
By Hanif Ghaffari
Regional affairs expert
Following the recent visit of the King of Oman to Iran, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution made an announcement indicating that Iran was open to restore relations with Egypt. President Raeisi on Tuesday assigned his foreign minister to follow up on the reestablishment of diplomatic ties with Egypt. It appears that tensions between the two nations are gradually easing. In light of these developments, it is important to elucidate several key points.
First and foremost, King Haitham’s visit served as a pivotal moment, signifying the joint efforts of Tehran and Cairo to rekindle their diplomatic relations. Earlier, both countries had embarked on initiatives with the assistance of various mediators. However, with the new presidential order in place and a heightened focus on regional cooperation, coupled with the recent normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the endeavors to foster normalized ties between Tehran and Cairo have gained momentum.
Secondly, the revival of relations encompasses more than just formal diplomacy. Various other forms of diplomacy, such as public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy, play an active role in this process. Bonds between Iran’s cultural entities and their Egyptian counterparts could come handy as adjuncts to official diplomatic channels.
The third point to consider is that rapprochement between two countries that have been devoid of political ties for an extended period need certain fundamental prerequisites, primarily of a security nature. The détente with Saudi Arabia serves as a prime example, wherein security delegations played a crucial role in resolving issues and dispelling misunderstandings through dialogue before progressing to the diplomatic phase.
A similar situation exists with Egypt. It is imperative that both sides have requisite willingness to forge relations again, and positive signals have indeed emanated from the Egyptian side, conveyed both through intermediaries such as Oman and Iraq, as well as Egyptian diplomats participating in various meetings.
Consequently, it appears that the time ripe for Iran and Egypt to bury the hatchet. Nevertheless, this process is time-taking, although indications suggest that consultations are progressing in the right path. The Omani king’s trip to Iran, following his visit to Egypt, will expedite these negotiations and endeavors.
Iran and Egypt hold significant roles as key stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa, with shared cultural and civilizational affinities and regional synergies. The establishment of relations between these two nations holds importance not only for bilateral ties but also for its potential influence on the wider region.
In fact, Tehran-Cairo rapprochement would accelerate ongoing regional de-escalation process in the Middle East, which has been underway for several months, and would positively impact actors closely aligned with the two nations, thereby strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation.