Updated 11 min 57 sec ago
November 4, 2026 01:53
CAIRO — Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Tuesday urged all parties to the conflict between the United States and Iran to exercise flexibility and pursue a political solution. In a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, Abdelatty stressed the importance of restraint and intensified diplomatic engagement to avert further hostilities, warning that renewed fighting could have serious consequences for regional security and stability.
He also reiterated that Egypt considers the security of Gulf states a priority and an extension of Egyptian and Arab national security, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. The officials discussed recent regional developments and diplomatic efforts to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nader Zaki said the talks focused on preventing a resumption of hostilities and supporting efforts by regional partners to reach a comprehensive agreement that addresses the concerns of all sides.
Earlier on Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi urged the United States and Iran to demonstrate maximum flexibility and allow negotiations to proceed “before it is too late.” He warned that a renewed military confrontation could have “catastrophic” consequences for the region and the world, calling for a political agreement that addresses the demands and concerns of both sides.
The diplomatic appeals follow limited strikes by the US on Iran’s Qeshm Island overnight, which Washington says targeted surface‑to‑air missiles used against American assets. US officials described the strikes as defensive and said they do not signal a return to major combat operations. However, President Donald Trump issued renewed warnings on Tuesday of possible further military action.
Washington and Tehran remain far apart in efforts to reach an agreement that could end the war, which began when the US and Israel carried out strikes against Iran in February.
In a separate telephone call on Tuesday, Abdelatty and his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al‑Thani, agreed on the need to intensify diplomatic contacts with the parties involved in the conflict and to allow sufficient time for negotiations.
They stressed the importance of continuing coordination with regional and international partners to prevent further military escalation, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said.
The Qatari minister also reaffirmed Doha’s support for diplomatic efforts to restore freedom of maritime navigation and reach a comprehensive agreement to secure lasting regional peace, the Qatar News Agency reported.
Doha, which has been a mediator in talks between Washington and Tehran, has intensified its diplomatic efforts in recent days. Qatari officials traveled to Tehran on Monday to discuss a draft agreement, while both the US and Iran continued to review proposals that might help resolve their differences.
An interim agreement in June failed to secure a lasting ceasefire or restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.
Iran has demanded the lifting of US oil sanctions, the end of an American naval blockade, and the release of frozen Iranian funds before it will consider reopening the strait and resuming negotiations over its nuclear program.
