Iranian, Egyptian FMs discuss ties, Gaza crisis over phone

Iranian, Egyptian FMs discuss ties, Gaza crisis over phone

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on Sunday evening exchanged views over the phone on bilateral relations and the latest developments in Gaza, Xinhua reported.

During the phone call, the two ministers reviewed the positive trend with regard to bilateral relations over the past few months, and discussed ways to develop the Tehran-Cairo ties based on the will of the two sides’ political leaders, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Amir-Abdollahian and Shoukry agreed that bilateral contacts and meetings should continue in a bid to expand and improve the Tehran-Cairo relations.

The Iranian and Egyptian ministers reviewed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, and voiced great concern over the continuation of the killing of Palestinian civilians, including women and children.

They also stressed the necessity to immediately stop the Israeli attacks on Gaza, implement a resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in the coastal enclave during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and send large-scale international humanitarian aid to Gazans.

The two sides voiced opposition to any plan by Israel aiming to forcefully displace Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, calling on relevant international organizations to take effective measures to prevent Israel’s attack on Gaza’s southernmost Rafah city.

Iran and Egypt severed diplomatic relations in 1980. In recent months, both countries have expressed a willingness to mend bilateral ties by settling differences on certain issues.