Trying to read the tea leaves on Islamist politicians is notoriously tricky. What else could explain why so many Middle East observers have misinterpreted Mohammed Mursi’s decision to visit Iran later this month as confirmation that Cairo’s Islamists are seeking closer union with Tehran?
These fears are misguided. Egypt has not had any official diplomatic relations with Iran for more than thirty years and Mursi’s visit will not change that status quo. He won’t be conducting a state visit but will instead be attending a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, a group formed to promote the interests of developing nations during the Cold War. Egypt currently holds its rotating presidency.
The trip has been on the cards for months. Indeed, within days of Mursi winning the presidency, Iran invited him to attend the NAM meeting. He responded by first visiting King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia and has only accepted the Iranian invitation after consulting a number of senior aides.
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