Shoukry holds talks with Iran FM amid normalization speculation: The top diplomats from Egypt and Iran held face-to-face talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly yesterday amid growing speculation that the two countries will move to normalize diplomatic ties. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir Abdollahian developing bilateral ties as well as a number of regional issues, according to a Foreign Ministry readout of the conversation.

Remember: Iran has launched a diplomatic offensive in the Arab world this year, signing a landmark accord with its former arch enemy Saudi Arabia to reopen embassies, holding high-level talks with the president of the UAE, and reportedly engaging in months of talks with Egypt to normalize relations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has personally given his blessing to the government to pursue warmer ties with Cairo.

ALSO- Shoukry discussed immigration with the Italian foreign minister, terrorism with his Pakistani counterpart, and the Sudan conflict with Uganda’s foreign minister. He also held talks with the foreign ministers of Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Croatia and Sierra Leone.

AND- Shoukry sat down for an interview with Turkish state broadcaster TRT World in New York (watch, runtime: 21:00), another sign of warming relations between the two countries a few months after they agreed to normalize ties.

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