TEHRAN -- Interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has stressed the need to expand Iran-Egypt ties, saying cooperation between Tehran and Cairo is necessary to deal with regional challenges and threats.
Bagheri Kani made the remarks in a meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Ahmed Mohamed Abdel Ati, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The senior Iranian official emphasized the importance of consultation and collaboration among major Islamic countries, particularly Iran and Egypt, to address the challenges and threats amid the current sensitive regional situation, as the Israeli regime continues it crimes against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Bagheri Kani said Iran is aware of “Egypt’s serious will and valuable efforts to follow the process of developing relations between the two countries.”
He said the promotion of friendly relations with Egypt is in line with Iran’s neighborhood policy and its consolidation, emphasizing that this policy will not change with the change of governments.
Bagheri Kani also expressed gratitude for the presence of two Egyptian foreign ministers in Tehran over the past two months to participate in two different events, namely the funeral ceremony of late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian as well as inauguration of President Pezeshkian. 
He also welcomed and appreciated Abdel Ati’s visit to Tehran and wished him success in his new position as Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Abdel Ati, for his part, described his current trip to Tehran as a sign of Egypt’s special efforts and determination to pursue the promotion and deepening of relations between Cairo and Tehran in line with the interests of the two countries and nations.
He said cooperation between Iran and Egypt can play an effective role in consolidating stability and security and preventing the escalation of tension in the region, especially in the current sensitive situation, amid the atrocities of the Israeli regime against the oppressed Palestinian people in Gaza and threats of the spread of war in the region.