In a notable development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has extended a warm welcome to the idea of resuming diplomatic relations with Egypt, as he met with Oman’s visiting Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The announcement comes after strained ties between Tehran and Cairo following Egypt’s recognition of Israel and the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, which had led to a rift between the two nations.
During the meeting, Khamenei revealed that the Omani leader had conveyed Egypt’s willingness to restore relations. “We welcome the Omani Sultan’s statement about Egypt’s willingness to resume relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we have no problem in this regard,” stated Khamenei, as reported on his official website. As of now, the Egyptian foreign ministry has not yet issued a response to this development.
These recent developments in the Middle East highlight significant shifts in regional dynamics, particularly following the China-mediated reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which was announced in March. This breakthrough has paved the way for improved relations between Iran, a Shiite Muslim power, and various Sunni Arab states.
In addition to addressing the potential resumption of ties with Egypt, Khamenei emphasized the importance of strengthening the relationship between Oman and Iran. Given their shared proximity to the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, Khamenei underscored the necessity of increased cooperation between the two nations.
The visit of the Omani Sultan comes shortly after a prisoner swap facilitated by Oman between Iran and Belgium. Oman has long played the role of mediator between Iran and the West, and this recent exchange saw the release of Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele in exchange for diplomat Assadollah Assadi, who was detained in Belgium for alleged involvement in a 2018 plot to bomb an Iranian opposition rally in Paris.
Furthermore, during his visit, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik met with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, who expressed optimism regarding bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of industry, defense, and security affairs. The leaders highlighted their shared perspectives on regional cooperation and the importance of enhancing security, peace, and prosperity in the region.
The visit also saw the signing of four memorandums of understanding and agreements focused on promoting investment, underscoring the intention to deepen economic ties between Oman and Iran. Notably, Oman has a history of close relations with Iran and played a pivotal role as a mediator between Tehran and the United States in the lead-up to the 2015 nuclear deal.
The Omani Sultan’s visit marks an important step in strengthening diplomatic ties between the two nations and highlights the potential for increased collaboration across various sectors. As regional dynamics continue to evolve, the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt holds the promise of fostering stability and cooperation in the Middle East.
