Iran's IRGC holds real power but peace talks must go on, says Egypt's foreign minister
Egypt faces a region erupting in crisis, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has said, as Cairo works to mediate between the US and Iran, contain the war in Gaza and protect its share of the Nile waters. “We are living in a very, very volatile region,” Mr Abdelatty told On The Record with Hadley Gamble . “It is unpredictable.” A framework agreement, signed by the US and Iran in June aimed at…
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized the volatile nature of the region, highlighting the challenges faced in mediating between the US and Iran, containing the conflict in Gaza, and protecting Egypt's share of the Nile waters. The framework agreement signed in June between the US and Iran aimed to facilitate talks to end the war, but it collapsed last month, leaving the situation in a deadlock.
Abdelatty acknowledged doubts about who controls Iran's policy, stating that negotiations are being handled by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The Egyptian economy is grappling with a "perfect storm" due to the Gaza war, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, costing the country around $11 billion. Despite the economic strain, Abdelatty expressed confidence in Egypt's resilience, noting a growth rate of 5.5 percent and a substantial foreign currency reserve.
In the Gaza conflict, Abdelatty highlighted Israel as the biggest obstacle, noting that the peace plan's first phase, including the entry of 600 aid lorries per day and hospital reconstruction, has not been fulfilled. Meanwhile, Egypt is advocating for a Palestinian statehood arrangement within the Arab League, stressing that military solutions will only lead to suffering and destruction.
Egypt hosts 10 million refugees, with 5.5 million from Sudan and 1.5 million from Syria. Abdelatty stressed that Sudan's division would be catastrophic, urging collective efforts to secure a humanitarian truce and a Sudanese-led political process. Water security is a pressing issue for Egypt, as the Nile provides 55.5 billion cubic meters of freshwater, with Egypt receiving only 3 percent of the total rain that falls in the Nile basin.
With Ethiopia's Gerd dam causing potential drought in Egypt, Abdelatty warned that Egypt could act to defend its water security, invoking Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
