The event, held in the grand hall of a Cairo hotel, drew, among others, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs, Amr Hamza, alongside ambassadors from Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as diplomats from Oman and Qatar.
In his speech, Ambassador Mojtaba Ferdowsi Pour, head of the Iranian interest mission, described Cairo and Tehran as “two ancient and influential states in the Islamic world and the Middle East, with a mutual responsibility to enhance peace, stability and development across the region.”
“We believe in constructive dialogue and gradual cooperation to open new horizons for bilateral relations, in a way that serves the interests of both peoples and strengthens regional security,” he said, positioning the Iran–Egypt relationship as part of a broader effort to consolidate regional resilience.
He extended appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty for their “efforts to consolidate the foundations of peace and stability and de-escalate tensions in the region.”
These efforts demonstrated “a deep awareness of the sensitivity of the current stage and the necessity of prioritising the voice of reason and dialogue,” he added.
Addressing the wider pressures facing Tehran, Ferdowsi Pour said, “While Iran demonstrated goodwill toward constructive dialogues, it faced military aggression by the Zionist entity and maximum pressure from the United States,” alluding to the June 2025 Israeli war on his country, during which American support helped Tel Aviv strike Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
He further said that Tehran continues to confront “simultaneous military, political and media campaigns by the United States and the Zionist entity,” pointing to ongoing pressure, including heightened US military deployments and sharp rhetoric from President Donald Trump, warning Iran of potential military action unless it agrees to substantive restrictions on its nuclear and defence programmes.
Despite these strains, Ferdowsi Pour emphasised that Iran remains committed on two fronts. “Iran will work seriously and firmly to defend its sovereignty and national security,” he said, “and at the same time emphasises the use of diplomacy and dialogue to secure the interests of the Iranian people and to preserve regional peace and security.” He concluded by stressing that “negotiations accompanied by threats and pressure cannot be sustainable or effective.”
As the ceremony continued over dinner, guests watched a short video presentation showcasing Iran’s cultural heritage and scientific achievements, featuring Persian calligraphy, textile arts, painting, Iranian cuisine, major tourist sites, as well as scenes of surfing, diving and skiing, highlighting the country’s cultural and geographical diversity.
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