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In what many see as a calibrated rapprochement between two of the Muslim world's most powerful and long-embittered foes, Iran and Egypt this week announced an agreement to resume direct flights after more than 30 years.

Hamid Baghaei, an Iranian vice president and the head of culture and tourism, said the agreement was "one of the most valuable economic agreements that have been signed between Iran and Egypt over the past 30 years," according to Iranian state TV. He suggested it could be a first step toward issuing visas to Egyptian and Iranian citizens and otherwise furthering ties between the two usually hostile states.