Tehran, Iran-– After years of frosty relations between the two countries, Egypt and Iran are set to restore ties with the visit of Iranian tourists to the North African country.
According to the Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, Iranian tourists will soon travel to the country through Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport.
Issa said that a group of 25 Iranian tourists will travel to this country soon and the hotel has been reserved for these people.
“The destination of the Iranian tourists will be the southern coasts of Sinai, Nubia and Taba”, he said adding that a delegation from the Egyptian Tourism Organization will welcome them.
Regarding the measures taken to resume relations between Iran and Egypt, Haitham bin Tariq, the Sultan of Oman, made separate trips to the two countries. The trips were mainly considered as an attempt to mediate between the two countries.
Many West Asian leaders have decided to reduce tensions and engage in dialogue to resolve their disputes, and the proximity of Cairo and Tehran is an important step in this direction.
In May this year, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he would welcome a resumption of diplomatic relations with Egypt, during a meeting with Oman’s visiting Sultan Haitham bin Tarik.
Ties between Tehran and Cairo soured following the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran and Egypt’s recognition of Israel, the Islamic republic’s sworn enemy.
Khamenei said that the Omani leader had told him that Egypt would be willing to resume 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,” Khamenei said, according to his official website.
Recent months have seen sweeping shifts in the Middle East, following a China-brokered rapprochement between regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in March.
It has led to improved ties between Shiite Muslim power Iran and other majority Sunni Arab states.
Khamenei also called for a deepening of ties between Oman and Iran.
“It is important to increase cooperation between Oman and Iran because the two countries share the very important waterway of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
The sultan’s trip comes just days after a prisoner swap between Iran and Belgium that was facilitated by Oman, a long-time mediator between Iran and the West.