Egypt has urged de-escalation between Israel and Iran, warning the conflict could trigger regional upheaval.
According to an official statement, Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty called for an “immediate ceasefire” during separate phone calls with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi and the US Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff.
He underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts to contain ongoing crises through political dialogue, warning that continued hostilities could lead to regional instability with far-reaching consequences.
During the conversations, Abdelatty pushed for “a return to negotiations” on Iran’s nuclear programme, which he said would be “the only path to a sustainable agreement.”
Abdelatty also underscored that there are no military solutions to the region’s crises, highlighting the importance of preventing an expansion of the conflict that would push the region into “widespread chaos” and “harm all parties.”
Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is in touch with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and other leaders as the situation in the Middle East heats up anew.
The interim results of the contacts were discussed by Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov over the phone.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement following the conversation between Abdelatty and Lavrov, that the Ministers touched upon the topic of high-level negotiations that are taking place between the Presidents of Egypt, Russia and some other countries to reduce the degree of tension in the region and achieve a ceasefire and return to negotiations.
Both ministers expressed their conviction that diplomacy is “the only way to prevent expansion of the current military conflict, which could engulf neighboring countries” and the entire Middle East.
The Ministers expressed deep concern about Israel’s military action against Iran in violation of the UN Charter and international law.
The Foreign Ministers spoke in favor of an immediate cessation of hostilities and the rejection of steps that could lead to further intensification of the armed confrontation and expansion of the conflict zone with inevitable negative consequences for the entire region.”
During the conversation, Lavrov noted that a relevant joint statement by the foreign ministries of 20 Arab and Muslim countries, including Egypt, which calls for an urgent ceasefire and the establishment of collective work in the interests of de-escalation of the situation.
The Egyptian side expressed high appreciation for Russia’s readiness to provide the necessary mediation efforts for a political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis,” the ministry stressed.
Israel Plans On Striking Significant Targets In Tehran
However, Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz told reporters that Israel plans on striking key targets in Iran’s capital city, Tehran.
During a visit to Israel’s central coastal city of Herzliya, which was struck by Iranian missiles this morning, Katz said, “Today we are going to strike very significant targets in Tehran, and the (Israel Defense Forces) spokesperson will address the residents to call upon them to evacuate.”
The Israeli Defense Minister said that his country is “running” the “campaign” of bombarding Iran, which is now in its fifth day, on its own.
He called the United States a “great friend” when asked if it might join in with the strikes. “At the moment they’re helping us on the defense against some of the attacks, and we thank them for that,” Katz said,
He reiterated that his country will not negotiate with anyone in Tehran to end the conflict. “Absolutely not — we’re not conducting negotiations,” he said.
Katz asserted that the only negotiations underway are between Israeli Air Force missiles and the “Iranian regime of dictatorship.”
READ ALSO: Mahama Charts Strategic Alignment, Shared Vision at Ghana-EU Economic Forum
