Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has stepped up diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Iran, engaging with key international and regional stakeholders, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aati held a phone call on Saturday with US Special Envoy for Iran, Stephen Biegun, alongside separate discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and a series of regional counterparts, including the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Pakistan, and Oman. Abdel-Aati also spoke with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The outreach represents Cairo’s latest effort to prevent further escalation, particularly as the deadline set by US President Donald Trump for a response to his proposal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz approaches. Earlier on Saturday, Trump reiterated a threat of “all hell” against Iran if an agreement is not reached, marking the latest in a series of high-stakes warnings issued over recent weeks.
Egyptian officials emphasized that the discussions focused on reducing military tensions and prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy. Abdel-Aati reiterated Egypt’s strong opposition to attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, which he said undermine the prosperity and security of affected nations.
The Foreign Ministry also condemned the recent strikes against Gulf countries, Jordan, and Iraq, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and reaffirming respect for the sovereignty and security of Arab nations. “These actions constitute a clear violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter,” the ministry stated.
The diplomatic push reflects Egypt’s broader role in regional mediation, seeking to stabilize a volatile situation while maintaining channels of communication with all parties involved.
