Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi sought to reassure the public over mounting regional tensions, telling Egyptians to remain confident in the country’s stability as conflict intensifies across the Middle East.
Speaking during the Armed Forces’ annual Ramadan iftar ceremony, held to mark the anniversary of the Tenth of Ramadan victory, President Sisi stressed that Egypt has taken precautionary measures and is closely monitoring developments.
“Be reassured about Egypt… no one, by the grace of God, can come near this country,” the president said.
The event was attended by senior state officials, military leaders and religious figures, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Pope Pope Tawadros II, alongside commanders of the armed forces and police.
Focus on Regional Crisis
President Sisi said the dominant issue facing the region is the ongoing war and its potential repercussions, noting that Egypt had made “sincere efforts” in recent months to avoid escalation by attempting to bridge differences between the United States and Iran.
He warned that wars carry severe consequences not only for countries directly involved but also for neighboring states, particularly given the evolving nature of modern warfare.
“In two days, we have seen very rapid and significant developments,” he said, reiterating Cairo’s consistent call for de-escalation and an end to the fighting, while acknowledging uncertainty about how quickly the conflict might subside.
Economic and Strategic Concerns
The president highlighted the potential risks of any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such a scenario could affect global oil flows and prices and, in turn, impact Egypt.
He also pointed to the continued effects on the Suez Canal, noting that shipping traffic has not yet returned to normal levels since October 7, resulting in financial losses for the country.
President Sisi said the government is studying multiple scenarios and has been working to secure necessary reserves and safeguards but cautioned that the duration of the crisis remains unknown.
Call for National Unity
Domestically, the president urged Egyptians to remain united, describing stability as the country’s most important achievement in recent years.
He acknowledged the succession of global shocks Egypt has faced since 2020 including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the Gaza conflict and the current confrontation involving Iran, saying many challenges lie beyond Egypt’s control.
President Sisi emphasized that the state continues to pursue a balanced and patient approach in both foreign policy and internal matters to avoid negative repercussions.
He concluded by again reassuring citizens, expressing hope that the regional crisis will end as soon as possible while affirming Egypt’s readiness to navigate potential fallout.
