Iran is interested in close relations with Egypt and the rest of the Arab world as it will be in the interest of the entire region plagued by sectarian and religious tensions, says a diplomat.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran extends its hand of friendship to all Arab and Muslim countries, particularly the Arab Republic of Egypt, which is one of the most important and influential Muslim Arab states, and believes that this friendship will benefit all regional countries and nations," Nasser Kanani, head of Iran's interest section in Cairo, said Friday in a meeting with ambassadors, officials and scholars in the Egyptian capital.
Diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt were cut in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Tehran when the government in Cairo gave sanctuary to the deposed shah, but ties improved over the years.
Tehran has often proposed, without success restoration of normal diplomatic ties to the important North African nation.
Sowing Discord
The official added that Israel has been trying to foment violence, sow the seeds of discord among Shias and Sunnis and spread propaganda against Iran to weaken the Muslim world and enhance its own security, ISNA reported.
"Muslim governments and nations and all religious, political and cultural scholars should be aware that Iranophobia and the campaign to provoke hostility between Iran, Arabs and Muslim nations is a dangerous plot aimed at creating divisions within the Islamic ummah.”
Israeli Oppression
Efforts by the US and Israel to form an alliance against Tehran will be to the detriment of regional countries, Kanani said, urging Muslim governments to stand united against decades of Israeli lawlessness and oppression of the defenseless Palestinians.
"The Zionist regime cannot be a true and honest ally for any Arab or Muslim country," he noted, adding that Iran will continue its backing for the oppressed Palestinians despite the pressures.
Self-Reliance
The diplomat dismissed criticism of Iran's missile program, saying that the country's military achievements can serve as a good example for other nations who want to be self-reliant in the defense sector.
"Iran's insistence on safeguarding its defense…capabilities is not only not a threat to regional nations and governments but rather paves the way for Arab and Muslim countries who strive for self-sufficiency in defense and military domains to confront the Zionist regime's expansionism," Kanani said.
Muslim countries have the right to step up their military preparedness to be able to defend themselves, he was quoted as saying.
The head of Iran's interest section in Cairo slammed the US double standards, which has turned a blind eye to Israel's dangerous nuclear arsenals and its refusal to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
