Egypt's Foreign Minister Makes First Trip to Iran for President's Funeral

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry traveled to Tehran on Wednesday to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, according to an official statement from Egypt's foreign ministry. 

"Shoukry's visit is the first visit by the Egyptian foreign minister to Iran," Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said.

The relationship between Egypt and Iran has been complex over the past few decades, with tensions often flaring, yet the two nations have continued to engage diplomatically. 

Notably, last September, the foreign ministers of both countries met in New York during the United Nations leaders gathering. President Raisi, who was present at the U.N. General Assembly, indicated that these talks could lead to the restoration of ties between the two nations.

Further emphasizing the recent diplomatic engagements, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who also perished in the recent crash, had held a meeting with Shoukry earlier in the month in Gambia. 

Their discussions, which occurred on the margins of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit, focused on enhancing bilateral relations and addressing pressing regional issues, particularly the situation in Gaza.