Iran said on Tuesday it is yet to decide on appointing an ambassador to Egypt, but added that developing ties with Arab world’s most populous country is in the interests of both nations

Iran said on Tuesday it is yet to decide on appointing an ambassador to Egypt, but added that developing ties with Arab world's most populous country is in the interests of both nations.

“The news regarding the appointment of an ambassador or other positions are predictions made in a rush, although we are ready to take steps when the Egyptians are willing to resume relations with Iran,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said at his weekly news conference.

“We believe that developing relations between Iran and Egypt are in the interest of both countries and the region,” he said in remarks broadcast live on state television. Mehmanparast said that after the coming to power of a "government in Egypt supported by the people, the leaders of both the countries have declared that they welcome the resumption of relations".
  
The Iranian spokesman said that “the Egyptian and Iranian people deserve relations which reflect their history and civilisation, provided they are based on mutual respect of state sovereignty and non-interference of any kind in internal affairs”.

Iran's Press TV website reported on Monday that Tehran had already appointed its envoy, naming him as Ali Akbar Sibuyeh, a career diplomat.

According to the report, the appointment comes amid a thawing of relations between the two countries, which were strained since just after the Iranian revolution in 1979. Iran broke off diplomatic ties with Egypt after the Islamic revolution in protest at the recognition of Israel by Egypt, and the two countries now maintain only interests sections in their respective capitals.

The new ambassador's appointment reportedly came after negotiations between Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi and his Egyptian counterpart Nabil al-Arabi.