You're reading: Egyptian leader in Iran for first time since 1979 revolution

DUBAI - Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi arrived in Tehran on Thursday, Aug. 30, the first Egyptian leader to visit Iran since its Islamic revolution in 1979.

Iranian state television broadcast live pictures of Mursi’s
red-carpet welcome at Tehran’s Mehrabad airport. He was to
attend a summit of the Non-Aligned Movement that concludes on
Friday, Aug. 31.

Diplomatic relations between Cairo and Tehran broke down
immediately after Iran’s revolution over Egypt’s support for the
overthrown Shah and its peace agreement with Israel.

As president, Mursi has so far refused to address the issue
of whether ties would be upgraded with Iran, but has indicated
he would pursue a more balanced foreign policy.