Egypt and Iran discussed efforts to prevent a new escalation in the Middle East on Tuesday. Regional powers intensified diplomatic contacts to avert renewed US-Israeli military action against Tehran.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed Cairo’s support for mediation efforts during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. The conversation followed high-level talks in Tehran aimed at easing tensions, according to the Egyptian State Information Service.
Abdelatty urged all parties to take responsibility for preventing the region from sliding into a wider conflict.
The two ministers discussed expanding consultations between Iran and the R4 ministerial group. The R4 group comprises Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkiye, and coordinates regional efforts to reduce tensions.
The ministerial conversation followed meetings in Tehran where top officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian counterparts to de-escalate the conflict. At the same time, Yemen’s Houthis launched new attacks on Saudi Arabia, and Egypt approved defense support for the Kingdom.
Qatar and Pakistan have also been mediating between Washington and Tehran to end the US-Israeli war on Iran. The conflict has disrupted global shipping and oil supplies, while spilling into other parts of the Middle East.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have sharpened recently. US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that the United States may strike Iran again.
The R4 foreign ministers met in Istanbul on Friday to address the crisis. During the Istanbul gathering, the ministers called for resolving the conflict exclusively through diplomacy and restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
