TEHRAN - On Wednesday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and his Egyptian counterpart Hanafy Ali El Gebali met on the sidelines of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The two met as recent meetings and remarks of the officials of the two countries show that Iran and Egypt might be heading towards a restoration of full ties. 

During the meeting, Ghalibaf called Egypt “an important Islamic country” that Iran deems necessary to have relations with. 
“This parliamentary assembly is a good opportunity for Islamic countries, including Iran and Egypt as two major countries in the region, to strengthen bilateral relations and regional cooperation,” he said.

The top Iranian legislator also declared that he sees a bright future for relations between Iran and Egypt and hopes the two countries can strengthen ties and step up cooperation in different fields. 

The Egyptian parliament speaker, for his part, mirrored the enthusiasm of Ghalibaf and hoped the two countries can become more intimate in the future. 
“We must strive to strengthen relations and increase cooperation between the two nations in various areas,” Gebali stated.
 
Earlier this month, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said a meeting of the Iranian and Egyptian foreign ministers in New York could pave the way for a restoration of ties. He also stressed that Tehran sees no obstacles in reestablishing relations with Egypt. “This issue has been announced to the Egyptian side as well," Raisi told reporters during a press conference.
The economy ministers of Iran and Egypt also met in Cairo on Monday, stressing the need for setting up a joint committee.

MHA/PA