Regional dialogue tops agenda at Egypt National Day reception in Tehran
Head of Iranology Foundation Ali Akbar Salehi used Egypt's National Day reception in Tehran on Thursday to call for renewed dialogue and regional cooperation, saying countries caught up in the Middle East crisis should abandon the "blame game" and return to diplomacy before "it is too late." Speaking at the event hosted by Mohamed Diaa El-Din Abd Rabbo, head of the Egyptian Interests Section in Tehran, Salehi congratulated Egypt's government and people on their national day and described Iran and Egypt as two ancient civilizations whose ties stretch back thousands of years, IRNA reported. "The time has come to put aside the blame game, sit at the negotiating table, and work together to find a way out of the current crisis for the benefit of all countries and peoples of the region," Salehi said. The former foreign minister, who now heads the Iranology Foundation, said the Middle East was passing through what he described as an "artificially created crisis," arguing that policymakers bear a responsibility to resolve tensions through "reason and wisdom."
He said the Islamic Republic has consistently based its foreign policy on "rationality, wisdom and diplomacy," adding that Tehran seeks regional peace and stability because sustainable development cannot be achieved without security. "Iran has no desire to see tensions escalate," Salehi said. "The greater the security in the region, the greater the benefit for Iran. We seek peace and security for all countries, not for a select few." He also pointed to ongoing consultations with regional partners, naming Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman among the countries working to help steer the region toward a diplomatic solution. Expressing optimism that constructive engagement could pave the way for lasting solutions, Salehi said misunderstandings between states are inevitable but should always be settled through dialogue rather than mutual accusations. On the sidelines of the ceremony, Salehi held talks with head of the Egyptian Interests Section in Tehran and met ambassadors and senior diplomats from Oman, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Romania, Britain and several Arab states accredited to Tehran.