Egypt warns of conflict expansion, urges Israel to halt strikes
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Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has firmly rejected any expansion of the ongoing regional conflict, urging an immediate halt to Israeli military operations “on all regional fronts”, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
The call for de-escalation came during a phone conversation with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday. President Sisi warned that continued tensions could cause “grave and formidable harm” to all communities across the region.
Stressing the importance of diplomacy, Sisi reaffirmed that peaceful solutions remain “the sole viable means” to achieve regional security and stability. He called on the international community to take more decisive action in encouraging all parties to act with responsibility.
The Egyptian president also reiterated the need to resume US-Iran nuclear negotiations—previously facilitated by Oman—which he described as "the best solution to the current tension".
Sisi also reaffirmed Egypt’s long-held commitment to establishing a Middle East free from weapons of mass destruction, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On the Palestinian issue, the Egyptian president stressed, "A just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue remains the sole guarantor for achieving enduring peace and stability in the Middle East," according to the statement.
The Israeli-Iranian conflict escalated early Friday, as Israel launched a wave of air and drone strikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The attacks reportedly resulted in heavy casualties, including the deaths of several senior commanders and scientists.
In retaliation, Iran responded overnight with missile and drone barrages directed at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, marking the most direct military confrontation between the two nations to date.
Amid the rising hostilities, the sixth round of Oman-mediated nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran—originally scheduled for Sunday in Muscat—was cancelled.
(inputs from IANS)
