TEHRAN, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- Experts say external pressure remains a major hurdle for Egypt to restore ties with Iran, although both countries have expressed their eagerness to mend decades-old rifts.
Tehran and Cairo have indicated in recent months that they are willing to work out their differences and restore diplomatic ties, which were severed in 1980 after Egypt signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and then provided asylum to the ousted Shah of Iran in the wake of the Islamic revolution that same year.
On Dec. 23, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi had a rare phone conversation, during which Raisi welcomed stronger bilateral ties and Sisi pledged to take "practical steps" to address outstanding issues, according to a statement published on the website of Raisi's office.
"After the resumption of relations with Saudi Arabia, we were seeking to normalize ties with Egypt," Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Thursday, adding Iran's move is welcomed in Cairo.
Rakha Ahmad Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, told media on Friday that Cairo and Tehran were expected to fully restore diplomatic ties and exchange ambassadors soon.
However, analysts warn that external pressure could complicate the two countries' reconciliation.
Hassan Beheshtipour, a Tehran-based international affairs analyst, pointed out that Egypt might become hesitant due to "certain considerations" from Israel, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Emad Abshenas, a Tehran-based international politics expert and head of Sputnik's Iran office, said Egypt is facing and will have to withstand "pressures exerted by the United States and Israel, and Saudi Arabia to a lesser one."
Israel was pressuring Egypt against restoring diplomatic ties with Iran as it feared that the resumption of the Tehran-Cairo relations could enhance support for Palestinians in Gaza, he said.
"On the other hand, although Saudi Arabia has resumed relations with Iran, it is not willing to see the resumption of ties between Tehran and Cairo and is pressuring the latter into refraining from doing that, as such a development can disturb the balance of power in the region to Riyadh's detriment," he noted.
Despite the challenges, both analysts believe that the two countries' desire for normalized relations is motivated by their shared interests.
Beheshtipour highlighted Egypt's strategic location near the Suez Canal as well as its significant role in the Muslim world, Africa, and the Arab states.
In his view, "replacing a three-decade confrontation with new cooperation" would benefit both countries, improve regional security and enable cooperative initiatives.
The argument for normalized ties is further strengthened by cultural similarities and possible economic benefits, according to Beheshtipour.
Abshenas underlined the importance of both countries in the region and added that their cooperation can let Iran enter Africa more easily and "help establish a balance of power among Arab states" to bolster Egypt's standing.
"Both countries would gain economically from the restoration of relations. Egypt has products that can be sent to Iran, and it can also act as a conduit for Iranian goods to enter African markets. Furthermore, the reestablishment of ties would be advantageous for Egypt's tourism industry," said Abshenas.
Both Beheshtipour and Abshenas agreed that efforts to improve relations between Iran and Egypt will continue due to the potential benefits for both countries.
"The ground is prepared more than ever for the resumption of Iran-Egypt relations given the current situations and the two countries' mutual needs, if no new obstacle would be created," said Beheshtipour. ■
