Egyptian FM: Iran and US want talks, but only a concrete deal stops escalation
Cairo’s foreign minister argues that mutual desire to negotiate is insufficient without binding terms, while reaffirming reliance on US support for the stalled Gaza plan.
By Layla Richardson ·
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated on Sunday that he believes both Iran and the United States intend to hold negotiations. Speaking to FRANCE 24 following the US midterm elections, Abdelatty noted that both parties are actively working toward discussions. He described this shared intent as a positive development, but warned that goodwill alone will not stop the next round of conflict. In his assessment, the region requires a specific and enforceable agreement to secure peace.
The minister emphasized that a verbal agreement is not enough to prevent another escalation. He argued that the parties must finalize a concrete deal to lock in the terms of any understanding. Without such a framework, he suggested, the cycle of tension and conflict could resume quickly. This perspective aligns with Cairo’s broader strategy of seeking stable, written commitments from regional actors.
Abdelatty also addressed the stalled Gaza peace plan, which was announced one year ago by President Donald Trump. He acknowledged that the first phase of the plan has not yet been fully implemented. He cited shortfalls in aid delivery and continued daily targeted killings of Palestinians by Israel as primary obstacles. The foreign minister identified Hamas’s disarmament as the central remaining problem in the process. Despite these delays, he expressed full confidence that the US leadership would see the plan through.
On the topic of US military aid, Abdelatty said he was confident that support for Egypt would continue. This assurance came after Trump announced the end of military aid to Israel. The Egyptian foreign minister also responded to comments by Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan’s newly elected Egyptian American senator. El-Sayed has called for an end to all US military aid to the region. Abdelatty countered that a strong Egypt serves US interests, describing his country as the main pillar of stability in the area.
The minister also discussed Egypt’s military presence in Saudi Arabia. He confirmed that Cairo maintains a force in the kingdom at Riyadh’s request and is currently strengthening that deployment. He stressed that the mission is mainly for defensive objectives. This clarification followed a warning from a senior Houthi official, who said that Egypt’s parliament approval of defensive aid to Saudi Arabia would bring Cairo into a war with the Yemeni rebels.
Abdelatty’s remarks highlight Cairo’s attempt to position itself as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. He seeks to balance its relationships with Washington, Tehran, and regional rivals. The foreign minister’s comments come as the region faces multiple overlapping crises, including the conflict in Gaza and the proxy war in Yemen. Egypt’s role in mediating these issues remains central to its foreign policy.
