The world public is curious about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s visit to Cairo during the 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. A closer relationship between these two countries is a hopeful sign for peace in the Middle East.
Iran's
Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi (2nd R) talks with other attendees before the
start of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Cairo February 6, 2013.
Iran and Egypt are the two most populous countries in the Middle East. Their relations were frozen after the Islamist Revolution of 1979.
During former President Hosni Mubarak’s term, bilateral relationship experienced many challenges. Egypt, where Sunni Muslims are a majority, has always allied with other Arab countries to isolate Iran and its Shiite majority.
For a long time, Egypt has accused Iran of backing Hezbollah rebels and causing instability in Egypt and has considered Iran a factor that has destabilised the Middle East.
Since Mubarak regime collapsed and the Muslim Brotherhood Organization took power, relations between Cairo and Tehran have seen signs of improvement. Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi visited Iran last August to attend a Non-Aligned Movement Conference. At that time, the two sides agreed to re-open their embassies.
Despite their different views on regional issues such as the crisis in Syria, both Tehran and Cairo have been careful with their restored relationship. Recently, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi visited Cairo to discuss the connections of the Muslims in the region. In this context, Admadinejad’s visit to Egypt is drawing keen attention.
Analysts say these two countries have strong reasons to move closer to each other. In alliance with Egypt will bring Iran closer to the Arab countries and help to ease tensions between Sunnis and Shi’ites.
Establishing a closer relationship with Egypt will also help Iran become less isolated by the sanctions of the US, and its allies. With Israel the first enemy of Arab countries and of Iran, Tehran is inclined to consider as a friend of any country at odds with Israel.
For Egypt, a country that is losing its prestige in the region through continuing political instability and violence, cooperation with Iran will help it gain some political balance in the region and reduce its dependence on the US. Its relationship with Israel has deteriorated due to disputes over Israel’s military presence in the Sinai Peninsula./.
VOV
