Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty publicly condemned recent attacks originating from Iran targeting Gulf states and Jordan, demanding an immediate cessation of what he termed “unacceptable” actions violating international law and the UN Charter.
Abdelatty voiced his concerns during a series of telephone conversations Tuesday with senior officials from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. According to a statement released by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the discussions centered on the escalating regional tensions and collaborative strategies to prevent a wider conflict. He characterized the attacks as an infringement upon the sovereignty of the targeted nations and a threat to the well-being of their citizens.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister spoke with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE; Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia; and Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Jordan. The ministers reportedly emphasized the necessity of increased coordination with both regional allies and international partners to de-escalate the crisis and avert further deterioration.
The conversations also revisited the outcomes of a recent ministerial meeting held in Islamabad, Pakistan. Participants explored ways to build upon the agreements reached in Islamabad to prioritize diplomatic solutions and dialogue as the primary means of avoiding “total chaos,” as described by Egyptian officials. The Islamabad meeting, which included representatives from Iran, Pakistan, and other regional stakeholders, aimed to address the growing instability in the Middle East.
Separately on Tuesday, Abdelatty met with Charles Fries, the Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service for Peace, Security and Defence. The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations between Egypt and the European Union, focused on strengthening their bilateral cooperation.
During the meeting with Fries, Abdelatty highlighted the positive trajectory of Egyptian-European relations, emphasizing the potential for expanded collaboration in economic, trade, and investment sectors within the framework of their strategic partnership. He detailed Egypt’s ongoing efforts to promote regional stability, outlining the intensive diplomatic outreach Cairo is undertaking to ease tensions. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s position that diplomacy and dialogue represent the only viable path to prevent further instability in the region.
Fries, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, commended Egypt’s “pivotal role” in supporting regional security and its proactive approach to crisis management and the promotion of diplomatic resolutions. He also underscored the importance of the strategic partnership between Egypt and the EU, characterizing it as a crucial foundation for fostering cooperation across various domains and serving mutual interests. The European Union has consistently advocated for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic negotiations in the region.
As of Wednesday morning, Iranian officials have not directly responded to Abdelatty’s condemnation. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has indicated that further diplomatic contacts are planned in the coming days, but has not disclosed specific details regarding potential meetings or initiatives.
