A rapprochement is taking place between Iran and Egypt. The two countries signed their first commercial agreement in more than Three decades. Resumption of direct flights between Cairo and Tehran has been welcomed by officials and businessmen in both countries. But not everybody is supportive of this development. Of course Israel and the U.S are apprehensive of this improvement in bilateral relations between the two states, and it is seen as a failure on the part Israel and America to isolate the Iranian regime.
This is realpolitik at its best.
Iran is in a dire need for more friends and especially in the Arab world. The current regime in Egypt is in a dire need to legitimize the outgoing president and his party among the nationals and the brotherhood group supporters ahead of the upcoming elections. The U.S. state department spokesman Mark Toner in an answer to a question whether the latest agreement should bother the U.S. he says:
“Well, we’re aware of the reports that they’ve signed a memorandum of understanding to resume direct flights, and we continue to urge all countries, including Egypt, not to pursue any new business deals until Iran complies with its international obligations”.
The Iranian and Egyptian regimes are deficient. They will combine forces if they must to ensure continuity. This will undoubtedly hamper any American and Israeli efforts to isolate Iran. But there is also a positive side to the new development; it is yet another proof that the U.S must reconsider its old/new practice of supporting regimes and not the people in the Arab and Muslim world.
