Egypt urges resumption of US-Iran talks, regional de-escalation

Egypt stressed Friday the need to resume negotiations between the US and Iran and halt escalation in the straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb during separate meetings between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian and Omani counterparts, Anadolu reports.

The meetings were held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, according to two statements by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

Abdelatty and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts and proposals aimed at reaching an agreement that would contain tensions and reduce escalation.

“The utmost importance of every country fulfilling its responsibilities to ensure the movement and freedom of international navigation, limiting the negative repercussions of the crisis on the global economy,” the Egyptian foreign minister stressed.

He also emphasized the importance of respecting the security and stability of Gulf countries and the wider region and called for a return to dialogue and the resumption of diplomacy through negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

“Negotiations are the only way to end the current crisis and put an end to the escalation that is causing severe harm to the interests of all countries in the region,” Abdelatty said.

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Washington and Tehran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, providing for an end to military operations that began in late February and arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to navigation.

Implementation of the agreement later stalled over disagreements concerning its application and navigation through the strait before clashes resumed in July.

In a separate meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Abdelatty discussed regional developments and the situation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The talks also addressed the Iran crisis and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Oman’s efforts in coordination with Egypt and other mediators to reduce escalation, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

Abdelatty stressed “the priority of halting escalation and avoiding any steps that could fuel tensions and threaten security and stability,” as well as the need to ensure freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.

Yemen’s Houthi group announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia on July 20 in response to what it claimed was a Saudi air and sea blockade on areas under its control in Yemen.​​​​​​​

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