CAIRO — On Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in discussions regarding the escalating tensions in the region with Egyptian officials during his visit to Cairo, marking the first such visit by a senior Iranian figure to Egypt in nearly ten years.
Araghchi met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty as well as President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, concentrating on strategies to alleviate the ongoing conflicts involving Israel in Gaza and Lebanon. In his remarks, President el-Sissi emphasized the critical need to cease Israel’s military operations in Gaza, highlighting the potential for these hostilities to develop into a broader regional conflict that could pose serious threats to the security and capabilities of neighboring nations.
The president also urged an end to the rising tensions in Lebanon and the ongoing violations in the West Bank, stressing the importance of facilitating the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to affected areas. Araghchi’s trip to Egypt forms part of a broader diplomatic initiative aimed at reducing tensions across the region. Earlier this month, he met with officials from Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq, and he is anticipated to travel to Turkey following his discussions in Egypt.
This diplomatic engagement occurs amid expectations of an Israeli offensive in reaction to recent ballistic missile attacks by Iran on Israeli territory on October 1. During his visit, Araghchi also spoke with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi in Amman to address issues related to regional stability, specifically in light of what the Iranian foreign ministry described as the ongoing atrocities and aggression by the Israeli regime in Gaza and Lebanon.
Araghchi’s visit coincided with discussions that took place just two days prior between Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and President el-Sissi, where they addressed recent developments in both Lebanon and Gaza. Both leaders underscored the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state as the sole pathway to a lasting ceasefire, peace, and security in the region.
An official statement from the Egyptian government noted that the Saudi and Egyptian heads of state called for initiatives aimed at de-escalation, which included a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. They also voiced the need to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation and to halt policies that could drive the region to further conflict. Additionally, they reiterated the importance of upholding Lebanon’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity.