Iranian Official: Decision Made to Exchange Ambassadors Between Tehran and Cairo

An Iranian official has announced that a decision has been made to exchange ambassadors between Tehran and Cairo, with a formal announcement expected in due course.

Mojtaba Ferdowsipour, Head of the Iranian Interests Section in Egypt, said in an interview with Al Jazeera that relations between Iran and Egypt have entered an advanced and expanding phase, and that the decision to exchange ambassadors has been definitively finalized.

Emphasizing the deep historical and civilizational ties between Tehran and Cairo, Ferdosipour stated that the shared connections between Iran and Egypt are broader and deeper than those with many other countries. He noted that in recent years, significant efforts have been made by the leaders of both nations to develop bilateral relations.
Referring to more than 15 meetings held at the level of foreign ministers, he added that additional sessions have taken place across various sectors, including health, justice, tourism, and energy. Some of the agreements reached have already entered the implementation phase, while others remain under review.
Ferdowsipour also announced the formation of a joint political consultation committee between the two countries, stating that two meetings have so far been held within this framework.
He explained that discussions within the joint committee have covered cooperation between judicial institutions, prisoner exchanges, and the signing of judicial memoranda of understanding. A significant portion of the talks has also focused on coordination regarding regional developments.
In response to a question about Egypt’s oil needs, the Iranian official said that Iran sees no obstacle to supplying Egypt’s oil requirements and stands ready to do so upon a formal request from Cairo. However, he noted that no such request has yet been made.
Ferdowsipour also highlighted Iran’s previous investments in Egypt, including oil storage in Alexandria Port, automobile and truck manufacturing, and textile industries. He said that reviving these investments is currently on the agenda of the joint committees.
Addressing the delay in the formal exchange of ambassadors, he stated that the decision has effectively been made and that his appointment at ambassadorial rank reflects this determination. He emphasized that there is clear political will at the highest levels in both countries, with only the timing of the official announcement remaining to be finalized.
In conclusion, he noted that the foreign ministers of Iran and Egypt maintain nearly weekly telephone consultations for coordination and dialogue, adding that approximately 70 percent of the two countries’ positions on regional issues have converged.