Egypt prefers to keep relations with Iran
An interview with Rahman Qahremanpoor, an expert on Egypt and Arab states; and the head of Expediency Council’s committee of disarmament
An Arab daily has recently quoted Egyptian officials as stating that continuation of anti-Egypt demonstrations on Iran would lead to shutting down the Iranian interest section in Cairo. Egypt has also threatened that it would call back his representative at Egypt interest section in Iran. At the same time, Ali Larijani, the Iranian parliament spokesman has talked to his Egyptian counterpart on phone; and has called for practical actions of Egypt to help Palestinian people. It has been said that the deputy Iranian parliament spokesman and representatives of some Iranian organizations are scheduling a trip to Egypt in order to help support the Palestinians in Gaza strip. Here is an interview with Rahman Qahremanpoor, an expert on Egypt and Arab states; and the head of Expediency Council’s committee of disarmament, on the issue.
What is the reason behind the recent harsh anti-Iranian statements of Egyptian Officials and the threats to shut down Iran’s interest section in Cairo?
The establishment of respective interest sections in capitals of Iran and Egypt has not led to stability in the two countries’ relations. The relations have mostly been influenced by regional currents and events; and the Egypt’s limitations in dealing with Iran have always been on the rise. The reason is the close relations of Cairo and Washington; and the military aids that Egypt is receiving from the US in the aftermath of Camp David treaty.
Egypt is economically weak; and it needs American aids. So Egypt is more vulnerable in facing US pressures aiming at undermining Tehran-Cairo relations. Now that the regional situation is of putting pressure on Cairo, the Egyptian officials have tried to keep the current course in the relations of the two countries.
After the production of the movie "Assassination of the Pharaoh" and the severity of Palestinians’ conditions in Gaza, we have witnessed negative reactions in both countries. Egypt has always been worried over the growing influence of Iran. But now the empowerment of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has become the main concern of Egyptian officials; because it seems that the main alternative for the current Egyptian government is Muslim Brotherhood.
The Egyptian officials always want to have the upper hand in dealing with Iran; and that is the reason behind their positions on Islamist groups inside Egypt. The truth is that the influence of Iran on Palestinian issue has increased and the influence of Egypt has decreased; and this makes way for Egypt’s concerns.
The condition of Gaza, the decrease of Egyptian influence in Palestine, the empowerment of Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the production of "Assassination of the Pharaoh" movie in Iran, and the Iranian protests over Egypt’s position in Palestine have all led to harsh anti-Iran positions of Egypt.
Do you think the threats to shut down Iran’s interest section in Cairo are serious?
I personally believe that Egypt prefers to keep relations with Iran. But Egypt does not need Iran that much; and Iran does not need Egypt either. Anyhow the two countries have concluded that having relations is better than not.
The two countries can have cooperation on regional issues like Palestine and Lebanon. They can also talk about the regional conflicts and the problems in Muslim world. Egypt has a good standing in Arab world; so keeping relations can be in advantage of both Iran and the Arabs. But the two countries do not have any motivations to improve relations. The truth is that not having relations would not hurt them.
Some time ago there were attempts to improve relations of Tehran and Cairo. Were they effective? What changes will be made in bilateral relations now?
It depends on the willingness of the two countries’ leaders. The main variant in this regard is Egypt’s relations with the US and Israel. The American economic aids to Egypt and the particular relations of Egypt with Israel are the main factors in Egypt’ recent actions towards Iran.
Egypt looks at Iran as a regional rival. As Iran’s influence increases in the region, Cairo’s willingness to keep relations with Tehran would be less. But in the end, the particular relations of Egyptian leaders and their military, commercial and political elites with the US and Israel are the main obstacles in keeping relations with Iran.
Iran’s regional stance is improving. Does Iran need boosting its relations with states like Egypt to achieve its goals?
It depends on Egyptians’ understanding of the reasons behind Iran’s empowerment in the region. Egyptian officials believe that the wrong policies of the US in region; and the Arab countries’ weakness have led to Iran’s empowerment. The Egyptian leaders do not attribute this empowerment to Iran’s smart game; so they advocate less cooperation with Iran. Egypt prefers a weak Iran rather than a strong one; because it does not want to see its relations with the US and Israel being influenced by Iran.