Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran and Egypt could play an important role in the Muslim world by cooperating with each other, Press TV reported.
Describing Iran and Egypt as two of the most important early civilizations, Salehi said there have been deep political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries and these relations were strengthened after the emergence of Islam.
"Unfortunately, the Iranian and Egyptian nations have been apart over the past 30 years and we hope this 30-year gap would be compensated for through the expansion of ties," IRNA quoted Salehi as saying on Monday.
The Iranian foreign minister further said Egypt's revolution was a great event for the region and the world, expressing hope that the Egyptian people could shape a bright future for their country by continuing their revolutionary path in the upcoming presidential election.
The first Egyptian election is set to take place on May 23 and 24 amid public protests against the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) that took power in the aftermath of the February 2011 revolution that toppled former Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak's regime.
The Egyptian public accuses the country's junta of following in Mubarak's footsteps by resorting to violence against popular protests.