Egypt Urges De-escalation, Rejects Targeting of Arab States Amid Regional Tensions

Egypt has reiterated its firm rejection of any targeting of Arab nations, calling for de-escalation in the region amid heightened tensions following reported attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi emphasized Egypt's unwavering solidarity with Arab states, stressing the country's categorical rejection of any threats or targeting of their security, sovereignty, and stability, according to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency.

During a general session of Parliament, Speaker Hisham Badawi underscored that the unity of Arab nations is essential for confronting current challenges, affirming that the security of the Gulf states is an integral part of Arab national security.

Badawi stated that the Parliament supports all efforts aimed at preserving the region's stability and sparing its people the ravages of conflict, urging the international community to assume its responsibilities and act swiftly to contain the escalation and prevent the region from sliding into a new war.

These pronouncements followed a series of telephone calls made by President El-Sisi to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait, during which he affirmed that any infringement on the sovereignty of Arab countries constitutes a direct threat to regional stability and exacerbates the precarious situation in the region, according to separate statements from the Egyptian presidency.

El-Sisi stressed that political and diplomatic solutions are the best way to overcome crises, and that continued military escalation would only bring more suffering to the region's people and undermine development opportunities.

Mohammad Hegazi, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and former Assistant Foreign Minister, affirmed that the security and safety of the region are a cornerstone of Egypt's endeavors, pointing to President Sisi's contacts with Gulf state leaders and Foreign Minister Badr Abdul Atti's ongoing communications aimed at finding a way out of the current crisis and returning to the negotiating table.

"Egypt hopes and is working to contain the situation within the limits we see now and not to exceed it, so that it does not become a comprehensive regional conflict that harms everyone's interests and the security and stability of the region," Hegazi added.

Hegazi urged the United States to immediately consider the Iranian negotiating position and attempt to reach a vision adopted by the international community through a ceasefire resolution issued by the Security Council, or, as happened in the face of last June, to restrain Israel, stop its attacks on Iran, and call on Iran again to the negotiating table.

Amid these developments, Al-Qahera News Channel quoted a responsible Egyptian source as denying reports circulated by Hebrew media about Israel informing Egypt of the plan to attack Iran 48 hours before its execution, stressing that what was stated in this regard is completely untrue.

The source reiterated Egypt's position calling for resolving crises through diplomatic means since the beginning of the crisis.

Ambassador Hegazi stated, "Egypt's position has been firm from the beginning in applying the tools of diplomacy and reaching results through the negotiating table, which achieved results in the first rounds of negotiations that seemed positive to all observers, but the United States and Israel chose to move towards a military option that opens the horizon to all dangers."