Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call on Saturday with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss rapidly evolving regional developments and ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran amid growing concerns over a possible escalation in the Middle East.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the two officials exchanged views on the current state of U.S.-Iran talks and broader efforts aimed at reducing tensions across the region.
Egypt Warns Against Regional Escalation
During the conversation, Abdelatty stressed the importance of lowering regional tensions and avoiding what he described as the dangers of “uncalculated escalation” that could threaten the security and stability of the Middle East.
The Egyptian foreign minister emphasized the need to preserve diplomatic channels and prioritize dialogue over confrontation, arguing that political solutions remain the best path toward protecting regional stability and preventing a wider conflict.
The call comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to secure a potential understanding between Washington and Tehran, with several regional powers—including Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan—actively engaged in mediation and de-escalation efforts.
Witkoff Praises Egypt’s Role
For his part, Witkoff praised Egypt’s role in supporting efforts to reduce tensions and maintain regional stability, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
The U.S. envoy expressed Washington’s desire to continue close coordination and consultations with Cairo as diplomatic activity accelerates in the coming days. The conversation underscores Egypt’s growing role as a key diplomatic player at a moment when negotiations between the United States and Iran appear to be entering a critical phase.
Trump Nears Decision on Iran
The call took place as U.S. President Donald Trump weighs whether to move forward with a proposed understanding with Iran or pursue additional military measures if negotiations fail. Trump recently indicated that the chances of reaching an agreement remain “50/50,” while regional mediators continue efforts to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran as part of an ongoing mediation initiative aimed at securing a framework agreement that could end the current crisis and open the door to broader negotiations.
With diplomatic contacts intensifying across the region and major powers seeking to avoid a wider conflict, Egypt’s latest engagement with the United States highlights Cairo’s push for a negotiated settlement and its opposition to any escalation that could further destabilize the Middle East.
