Egypt fears escalation in Iran war would be more destructive, foreign minister says

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed deep concern on Saturday regarding the potential for a more destructive escalation in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue security summit held in Bahrain, Abdelatty warned that the next phase of the war would likely be more dangerous and ultimately futile.

He emphasized the need to learn from past experiences to avoid repeating mistakes. Despite an interim agreement reached in June aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire and restoring normal shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, the truce has thus far failed to materialize. Iran has since proposed a deal to Washington, suggesting that the U.S. lift its blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for Tehran reopening the Hormuz waterway within a week.

However, the Saudi-led coalition reported that a drone had been shot down over the oil-rich Eastern Region, further complicating efforts to broker a peace deal. Qatar's mediators returned to Tehran on Friday in a bid to resume negotiations, but the parties remain at odds over the priority of addressing nuclear negotiations or lifting the economic sanctions and blockade on Iranian oil exports.