Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has called for the activation of stronger mechanisms of Arab collective security, including the possible formation of a joint Arab military force, as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate amid a widening confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made the call during an extraordinary ministerial session of the Arab League Council held virtually on Sunday. The emergency meeting, chaired by the United Arab Emirates, brought together Arab foreign ministers to address the growing military escalation and attacks affecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of several Arab states.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, Abdelatty urged Arab governments to activate existing frameworks of joint cooperation and strengthen the concept of Arab national security to confront the threats currently facing the region. He emphasized that the scale of the crisis requires more effective mechanisms for coordination among Arab states in both political and security spheres.
During the meeting, the Egyptian minister expressed Cairo’s full solidarity with Gulf countries as well as Jordan and Iraq in confronting Iranian attacks. He also reiterated Egypt’s firm condemnation and categorical rejection of the strikes, along with any attempts to justify them.
At the same time, Abdelatty stressed that diplomatic engagement must remain the primary path toward resolving the crisis. He warned that continued military escalation risks pushing the region toward a broader conflict that could have severe consequences for regional stability and international economic security.
The emergency meeting took place against the backdrop of a rapidly intensifying confrontation across the Middle East following a U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian facilities. In response, Tehran has launched waves of missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets and what it describes as U.S. assets across the region, particularly in Gulf countries.
The growing conflict has already caused casualties and damage in several locations and has disrupted civilian aviation and regional airspace. Temporary airport closures and flight diversions have been reported across parts of the Gulf as security alerts intensified.
Analysts warn that the crisis carries significant global implications, particularly for energy markets. The strategic Strait of Hormuz through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, could be affected if the conflict expands further. Regional maritime routes, including those linked to the Red Sea, also face heightened risk amid rising tensions.
Egypt has intensified its diplomatic efforts in recent days to prevent the confrontation from escalating into a full-scale regional war. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has held consultations with several regional and international leaders, emphasizing the need to halt military operations and return to political and diplomatic solutions.
Cairo has also engaged with European and Mediterranean partners to coordinate international efforts aimed at reducing tensions and restoring stability.
Egyptian officials have warned that prolonged conflict could destabilize the entire Middle East and trigger serious economic repercussions globally, including disruptions to energy supplies, maritime navigation, and regional trade networks.
Through its diplomacy at the Arab League and other international forums, Cairo has continued to advocate for a unified Arab stance focused on de-escalation, respect for national sovereignty, and the resolution of regional disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation.
