CAIRO: Egypt and Iran have signed an agreement to resume direct flights between their capitals for the first time since the two nations' diplomatic relations fell apart in 1979. The head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, Sameh al-Hafni, says 28 flights will carry travelers between Cairo and Tehran every week. There was no explanation of what led to the deal, and an Egyptian government spokesman could not be reached for comment. Iran severed ties with Egypt after it signed a peace deal with Israel in 1979 and provided asylum to Iran's deposed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Under the agreement announced Sunday, a privately owned company called Egyptian Mission will regulate and organize the weekly trips to Iran.
