A high-ranking Egyptian official says the Northeast African country and Iran are expected to fully restore diplomatic ties and exchange respective ambassadors in the near future after decades of estrangement.

According to The Iran Project,Member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, Rakha Ahmad Hassan, said in an interview with the Arabic service of Russia’s Sputnik news agency on Friday that an exchange of ambassadors is likely to happen soon.

He pointed out that Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi's congratulations to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after his victory in the recent presidential election means that relations between Cairo and Tehran have reached the highest level.

The two heads of state discussed several issues, including restoration of diplomatic ties as well as unfolding developments in the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea, during the telephone conversation this month, Hassan noted.

“The current level of relations between the two countries indicates that the exchange of ambassadors is imminent. Latest remarks by Oman's ruler, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, also suggest that efforts are being made in the region in this regard as he touched on the matter and the consequences that the rapprochement could bring about,” the senior Egyptian official pointed out.

He emphasized that re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Iran will complete the cycle of resolving regional crises, especially after the recent rapprochement between Riyadh and Tehran, and initiatives aimed at ending the Yemeni conflict.

Iran’s further involvement in the Arab world will not only increase the proportion of trade exchange with Arab states, but will also contribute to regional stability and progress, Hassan highlighted.

Egypt severed its diplomatic relations with Iran in 1980 after it welcomed the deposed Pahlavi ruler of Iran and also recognized the apartheid Israeli regime.