Egyptian intelligence source refutes Iran's claims of thawing ties

Egypt and Iran are not likely to restore diplomatic ties or reopen embassies following the recent talks in Baghdad as claimed by the Iranian side, according to a high-level security source.

"The communication between Cairo and Tehran has been ongoing on the intelligence level for years now, witnessing a give and take," the intelligence source, exclusively told The New Arab on the condition of anonymity.

"Such communication is aimed at facilitating trade and economic deals. But in a nutshell, bilateral relations have been hanging by a thread for decades now," the source added.

Earlier last week, Iranian lawmaker Fadahossein Maleki told TNA's Arabic language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Iran and Egypt had reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies following talks held last month in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

Maleki told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that diplomatic relations between Egypt and Iran were "moving towards full revival," adding that the reopening of embassies was "on the agenda" but required "special mechanism, planning, and visits by delegations from both countries, as was the case with Saudi Arabia."

Egypt and Iran had held talks in the Iraqi capital Baghdad over the past two months. But the outcome of the discussions has not been officially declared by Egypt.

Last month, Iran and Saudi Arabia officially restored ties seven years after severing relations. 

Tehran's relations with Cairo, a close ally of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, have been fraught since the ousting of Iran's Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The shah's subsequent refuge in Egypt, then under the rule of President Anwar Sadat, worsened relations. The Shah died in 1980 in Egypt, where he is buried.

"The restoration of relations the way the Iranian side has been promoting in the media is unlikely to occur. The Egyptian regime is quite aware that Iran has been attempting to interfere in Egyptian affairs and promote Shia Islam in [a Sunni-dominated] country," the Egyptian source opined.

"Even if a restoration of ties takes place, it will be gradual and thoroughly calculated by the Egyptian leadership," the source concluded.

In March, the Egyptian government announced measures to facilitate tourism for Iranians, allowing them to acquire a visa-on-arrival for visiting South Sinai through an accredited certified tour company.

Egypt is notably the only Arab country that has not had an embassy in Tehran since 1979.