Egypt's Foreign Minister Makes Historic Visit to Iran for President's Funeral

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry departed for Tehran on Wednesday to attend the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who tragically died in a helicopter crash on Sunday, the Egyptian foreign ministry announced in a statement.

Relations between Egypt and Iran have been strained in recent decades, though diplomatic contacts have been maintained.

Last September, the foreign ministers of both nations met during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. 

President Raisi, who was also present at the UN gathering, expressed optimism that the meeting could pave the way for the restoration of bilateral ties.