Iran, Pakistan and Oman... Egyptian diplomatic discussions to discuss the situation in the region

On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati held a number of telephone conversations with his counterparts in the region in order to work to reduce escalation and maintain stability, including the countries of Iran, Pakistan, and the Sultanate of Oman. The official Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi discussed with Abdul Ati “the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts and initiatives aimed at reducing tension and maintaining stability in the region.”

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported in a statement that Abdel Ati discussed by telephone with his Omani counterpart Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi “many important regional issues in light of the recent escalation.” The two ministers stressed "the importance of continuing joint Egyptian-Omani efforts in coordination with active countries at the regional and international levels to reduce escalation and support calm, and the necessity of promoting political and diplomatic solutions."

Another statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry revealed that Abdel Ati received a call from his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, “within the framework of ongoing coordination and consultation between the two countries and to support efforts aimed at reducing the escalation and restoring calm in the region.” The statement indicated that the call addressed "the latest developments in the regional situation in light of the military escalation taking place in the region, and the efforts made to contain tension and restore calm."

According to the statement, Abdel Ati stressed “the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to support political solutions, and intensifying coordination and consultation within the framework of the regional quadripartite mechanism, in a way that contributes to reducing tension and enhancing regional security and stability.” He stressed "the rejection of compromising the security of the Gulf states as it is an integral part of Egypt's security, or the use of straits and sea lanes as a tool for pressure or escalation."

The Egyptian and Pakistani ministers reviewed "the efforts and proposals put forward to contain the tension, stressing the necessity of returning to dialogue and resuming the diplomatic and negotiating path between the United States and Iran, as it is the way to reach understandings that contribute to ending the current crisis and limiting its repercussions on the countries of the region." This comes at a time when the Egyptian Parliament is discussing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s request for ways to support Saudi Arabia in defending the attacks of the Iran-backed Houthi group.

Sisi said on Saturday that Egypt will implement any measure to protect the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, calling on Parliament to hold an emergency session to approve its authorization to take this action. This comes as Houthi warned that “Egypt sliding down this path will pose a serious threat to its national security and internal stability before others,” according to a message reported by the Houthi-run Saba News Agency, from the Speaker of the House of Representatives (affiliated with the Houthis) to his Egyptian counterpart, on Saturday.