It's ironic that at precisely the same time when U.S.-Iranian tensions are at their highest, our most steadfast regional allies seem to be 'warming up' to Iran (Saudis first, now the other 'heavyweight': Egypt). Iran and Egypt are the region's two most populous countries (along with Turkey), and two states that have for long distrusted each other, enough so where Egypt sided with Iraq in the Iraq-Iran war, a time during which the Egyptian regime was busily accusing the Iranians of wanting to "export the revolution" and directly threatening internal/regional stability (i.e. the dictatorial, largely secular regimes that controlled much of the region). However you may feel about Iran, one thing is for certain: they've made it clear that they can't be ignored. Regional powers are taking notice, and seem eager to 'tame' the Iranians with mutual ties and general goodwill... Iran and Egypt "to restore ties", Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki at a press conference in Tehran Mr Mottaki said he was waiting to hear a response from Egypt. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7213093.stm Officials in Tehran have announced that Iran is close to restoring full diplomatic relations with Egypt. Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that the relationship was "going ahead in a natural way". The countries have not had full diplomatic ties since the Iranian Islamic revolution in 1979. The announcement follows a recent thaw in relations, including a landmark phone call between presidents Mubarak and Ahmadinejad last week. In their first direct talks, the leaders are reported to have discussed the Palestinian issue and other regional concerns. Mr Mottaki said that Assistant Foreign Minister Ali Asghar Mohammadi had delivered a "special message" to Egypt's Foreign Minister, Ahmad Ali Abu-al-Ghayt. There was no indication of what the message contained but Mr Mottaki said that Iran was now "waiting for our Egyptian brothers to express their readiness" to establish relations. The relationship between the countries has been strained for three decades, largely over Egypt's diplomatic ties with Israel, which Iran does not recognise. Egypt also gave sanctuary to the deposed Iranian Shah following the Islamic revolution. Egyptian officials told Reuters news agency that some security concerns still needed to be resolved before full relations could be restored.
Cautiously good news. I hope something comes of it. If nations don't talk, how can diplomacy work? That is something Bush has either never grasped, or just wasn't interested in. Take your pick. Impeach Bush.
