Egypt’s Sisi warns of ‘catastrophic’ fallout if US-Iran war resumes

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged the United States and Iran on Tuesday to show flexibility in seeking a settlement, warning that renewed fighting could draw the region into a wider conflict with “catastrophic” consequences. Speaking at a joint press conference in Cairo with Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar, Sisi called for a deal that addressed each side’s main demands and concerns. He urged the parties to pursue dialogue “before it is too late,” warning that renewed military operations could have severe humanitarian and economic consequences across the region and beyond.

Sisi described US President Donald Trump as a “man of peace” and said he was confident Trump would give mediators the support they needed to reach a deal. He pledged that Egypt would work with regional and international partners to ease tensions and help secure a peaceful settlement. The Egyptian president also rejected any threat to the security of Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states and reaffirmed Cairo’s solidarity with them. Sisi’s remarks came as Qatar continued to mediate between Washington and Tehran amid tensions over the US naval blockade and security in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran said Monday it was still exchanging messages with the US through mediators and that reopening the strait depended on Washington ending the blockade. The US and Israel began attacks against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel and US assets in the region before a ceasefire agreement was reached in April. The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on June 18, but its implementation stalled over disagreements concerning security in the strait.