Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt has expressed growing concern over escalating military tensions in the Middle East following ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran, urging all parties to pursue diplomatic solutions to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the region amid continued military exchanges between Iran, Israel and the United States.
According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi told his Egyptian counterpart that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared to exercise what he described as the country’s right to self-defense in response to American and Israeli attacks. Iranian officials maintain that recent strikes carried out by Tehran against US interests and bases in the region are part of what they consider legitimate defensive actions.
Iran has emphasized that, despite the escalating conflict, it remains committed to maintaining constructive relations with neighboring countries and strengthening regional cooperation. Iranian officials have repeatedly said that Tehran’s security policy is based on good neighborly relations and regional stability, which they argue should be achieved without external intervention.
For his part, Abdelatty conveyed Egypt’s deep concern over the intensifying military confrontation and warned of the risks posed by further escalation. The Egyptian foreign minister stressed Cairo’s support for diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and containing the crisis before it expands into a broader regional war.
Egypt has consistently called for dialogue and restraint as violence in the region intensifies. Cairo, which maintains diplomatic relations with both Israel and Iran’s regional rivals, has sought to position itself as a voice for de-escalation and a potential mediator in regional disputes.
The current confrontation escalated after the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iranian targets beginning on February 28. The attacks reportedly targeted military installations, strategic infrastructure and sites linked to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs.
Iranian authorities say the strikes have resulted in hundreds of casualties, including senior military and security officials. Among those reported killed was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a development that would mark one of the most dramatic turning points in the country’s modern political history if confirmed.
Tehran has responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones directed at Israeli territory, while also targeting what it describes as American military facilities and interests across the region. Several of these attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, raising fears of a broader regional conflict involving multiple actors.
Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs that threaten Israeli security and destabilize the region. Iran, however, continues to insist that its nuclear program is purely peaceful and intended for civilian energy purposes.
Regional and international powers have intensified diplomatic contacts in recent days in an attempt to prevent the confrontation from spiraling into a full-scale war across the Middle East. Analysts warn that continued strikes and retaliatory attacks risk drawing additional countries into the conflict and could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and regional stability.
Egypt, along with several Arab and international partners, is expected to continue pressing for an immediate halt to hostilities and a return to negotiations aimed at addressing the underlying disputes fueling the crisis.
