Iran is seeking outreach not only to Egypt by also Saudi Arabia. Recent reports also indicate that Tehran has threatened Jordan. The Kingdom of Jordan recently thwarted an Iran-linked arms smuggling plot.
The goal of Iran is clearly to make inroads in Jordan and Egypt, two countries that have made peace with and border Israel. The Islamic Republic also backs the Syrian regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Tehran is also doing outreach to Saudi Arabia, likely to prevent normalization with Israel. This was all set in motion in part by the October 7 attack, which Iran has exploited to try to isolate the Jewish state.
“The Iranian government, with its policy based on dialogue, cooperation and synergy with adjacent and neighboring countries, has been able to achieve significant results in building trust, establishing an all-around approach and accomplishing real, tangible and transparent achievements with Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Amirabdollahian said while responding to a question regarding the place of Egypt in Iran-Arab relations,” IRNA reported.
“He also talked about the continuous high-level engagements between Tehran and Cairo at different regional and international platforms,” the report noted.
The UAE’s Al-Ain media also reported about Iran’s outreach. “The Iranian Foreign Minister met with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, recently, on the sidelines of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting. During the meeting, the latest developments in efforts to strengthen bilateral relations were discussed,” the report noted.
“Tehran is keen on rapprochement with Cairo not only now, but for a long time, and has been waiting,” an expert told Al-Ain media. “Iran has been exposed strategically after the military escalation that occurred between it and Israel recently, against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, at a time when the pressures on the Iranian economy are intensifying due to the weight of the sanctions,” according to the Egyptian analyst. READ MORE
