Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty on July 30 following his presidential inauguration, expressing hope for improved relations between the two countries, according to Iran's official presidential website.

Iran and Egypt have had a complex and fluctuating relationship over the years. During the era of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the two countries had close ties. However, relations soured after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, with ideological differences and regional rivalries leading to a decades-long diplomatic freeze. In recent years, there have been signs of a potential thaw, with both nations expressing interest in improving ties to address regional challenges. Despite this, the full normalisation of relations remains a work in progress.

Pezeshkian described Iran and Egypt as "brother countries with peoples who have heartfelt affection for each other" and emphasized their "ancient, brilliant, and proud civilisational background," the President.ir website reported.

"Iran and Egypt can resolve many regional problems through cooperation," Pezeshkian said, adding that Iran is "ready to cooperate and exchange experiences, capabilities, and mutual capacities with Egypt."

Abdel Atty, who was in Tehran to attend Pezeshkian's inauguration ceremony, conveyed warm greetings and congratulations from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to the Iranian presidential website.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister noted that this was the second visit by an Egyptian foreign minister to Iran in less than two months, signalling potential warming ties between the two countries.

"We in Egypt are deeply pleased that Iran was able to transition through the period after the martyrdom of Dr Raisi with strength and without any problems in a short time, and hold a free election," Abdel Atty was quoted as saying the President.ir website.

The report mentioned that the two officials discussed the normalisation of relations between Iran and Egypt, with Abdel Atty expressing hope that "these two great countries with civilisations can officially begin their cooperation as soon as possible to secure mutual interests."

The meeting comes in the wake of a recent encounter between the diplomats of Iran and Egypt in Riyadh, where they reportedly agreed to develop relations.