Al-Sudani Leads Mediation to Accelerate Reconciliation between Egypt and Iran
The Iraqi capital, Baghdad, will soon host a meeting between Iranian and Egyptian officials to restore relations to their normal state. This development comes following the end of the diplomatic rift between Tehran and Riyadh under a historic agreement brokered by China. In recent years, Iraq has become a key player in resolving crises between regional countries and Iran, which has close ties with the ruling Shia elite.
According to the Kurdish Iraqi news agency, Shafaq News, an undisclosed meeting will take place between Egyptian and Iranian officials mediated by Iraq. This development follows a recent visit by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani to Cairo, during which he reportedly offered to mediate between the two countries to elevate diplomatic representation.
The same source stated that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani’s visit to Egypt was successful regarding the Iraqi mediation between Tehran and Cairo. In the coming days, undisclosed new meetings will be held in Baghdad between Iranian and Egyptian officials to discuss the restoration of relations between the two countries.”
The source added, “Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed strong support for Iraqi mediation and the results achieved through previous dialogues between Iranian and Egyptian officials in Baghdad during the past period.”
Prime Minister Al-Sudani, accompanied by a high-level delegation, visited Egypt last Monday to discuss enhancing relations. The visit concluded with the signing of 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding.
Previously, there was no announcement regarding Iraqi mediation between Egypt and Iran. However, Baghdad played an important role in bridging the perspectives between Tehran and Riyadh and hosted five rounds of talks that ultimately led to a historic agreement between the two countries, ending years of hostility and diplomatic rift under Chinese sponsorship.
The resumption of relations between the Kingdom and the Islamic Republic provided a strong impetus for the reconciliation process in the region, with Saudi Arabia emerging as a powerful diplomatic force capable of reshaping the situation in the Middle East and charting a new political map.
Egypt has a close alliance with the Kingdom, which has influenced the course and pace of reconciliation efforts and the reshaping of the political equation in the region, particularly during a period of strained relations between Arab Gulf states and the United States.
The head of the Iranian Interests Section in Cairo, Mohammad Hussein Salitifard, stated that “Iran and Egypt are trying to elevate their relations to the ambassadorial level,” according to the Iranian news agency ‘Nikahno.’
He pointed out that “improving relations between the two countries will have a positive impact on Iranian-Arab relations,” and added that its developments will include Palestine.
He further stated that “considering the role and position of Egypt and Iran, we cannot say that the understanding between Cairo and Tehran will be the same as the one between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but it may be influenced by it,” according to the same source.
Earlier, Feda Hussein Maliki, a member of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, described Iranian-Egyptian relations as “important,” noting that Iraq is hosting talks between Tehran and Cairo, expecting that “the reopening of embassies between the two countries will take place in the near future.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian previously stated that “there are no bilateral problems between Tehran and Cairo, and we welcome any initiative to improve relations.”
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the highest religious and political authority in Iran, stated during his meeting with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman at the end of last month that “Tehran welcomes the improvement of diplomatic relations with Egypt.”
Despite the severed diplomatic ties, Egyptian-Iranian relations have remained strained over the past decades, although the two countries have maintained minimal communication channels. The current developments indicate a potential thaw in relations, with Iraq playing a facilitating role.
And the head of the Iranian Interests Section in Cairo, Mohammad Hussein Sultanifar, said that “Iran and Egypt are trying to elevate their relations to the ambassadorial level,” according to the Iranian news agency ‘Nakah News.’ He emphasized that “improving relations between the two countries will have a positive impact on Iranian-Arab relations,” noting that the developments will also include Palestine.
He further stated, “Considering the role and position of Egypt and Iran, we cannot say that the understanding between Cairo and Tehran will be the same as the understanding between Iran and Saudi Arabia, but we can say that it may be influenced by it,” according to the same source.
Earlier, Fada Hussein Maleki, a member of the Iranian Shura Council’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, described Iranian-Egyptian relations as “important,” pointing out that Iraq is hosting talks between Tehran and Cairo and expecting the “reopening of the embassies of the two countries” in the near future.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian had previously stated, “There are no bilateral issues between Tehran and Cairo, and we welcome any initiative to improve relations.”
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the highest religious and political authority in Iran, confirmed during his meeting with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq Al Said at the end of last month that “Tehran welcomes improving diplomatic relations with Egypt.”
Despite not severing their diplomatic contacts, Egyptian-Iranian relations have been strained over the past decades. Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem, revealed last month efforts to restore relations with the Egyptian side and welcomed Iraq’s efforts to organize a meeting between officials from both countries.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated this week that “Iran welcomes the resumption of diplomatic relations with Egypt as the Egyptian side has expressed a desire for it.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a media statement last month that “relations between Egypt and Iran continue as they are,” adding that Cairo “follows developments related to Iran’s relations with the Gulf countries and the policies expressed by the Islamic Republic,” clarifying, “When there is an interest in changing the approach, we will always resort to achieving that interest.”
Diplomatic relations between Cairo and Tehran have been severed since 1980, following the Islamic Revolution, which was hostile to the regime of former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat due to his efforts to sign a peace agreement with Israel.
The disagreements between the two countries deepened during the era of former President Hosni Mubarak after Iran presented the film “Pharaoh of Egypt” in 2008, which included insults to Sadat and glorification of his killers.
