Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Monday said he favored a resumption of relations between his country and Egypt, receiving Sultan Haitham of Oman, who is playing a mediating role in normalizing ties between Iran and Arab countries.
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We welcome the Omani sultan's statement on Egypt's willingness to resume relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and we have no reservations about it," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said during a meeting with the sultan in Tehran, according to remarks reported on his website.
The Iranian leader was referring to an Omani statement issued after Sultan Haitham's recent visit to Egypt, where he discussed the issue with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Egypt had no immediate comment.
Iran is currently engaged in a process of normalization of its relations with all Arab countries following the agreement reached on March 10 with Saudi Arabia for the reopening of embassies.
Relations between Tehran and Cairo have been strained since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and Egypt's recognition of Israel. But ties were never completely severed before warming up after the election of President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, in 2012.
In recent months, contacts have intensified, especially between foreign ministers, and a meeting between Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Egyptian President Sisi is being considered.
