Cairo: Egypt and Qatar have jointly called on both Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions and engage in mediation efforts to resolve their ongoing conflict. This appeal follows a recent exchange of hostilities between Iran and Israel, which has further strained regional stability.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry issued a statement emphasizing the urgency of reaching a swift agreement between the United States and Iran. The statement highlighted the necessity of restoring security and stability in the region by addressing unresolved issues, such as the Iranian nuclear program and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This, Egypt believes, would contribute significantly to ending the ongoing conflict.
In parallel, Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, urged for the containment of the current escalation in the region. He called for the US and Iran to respond positively to ongoing mediation efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful agreement, as confirmed by the Qatari Foreign Ministry. The ministry also reported that Sheikh Mohammed had a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which they discussed mediation efforts and the latest developments in Lebanon.
The tensions in the region peaked on Sunday when Israel conducted airstrikes on Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, despite an existing ceasefire. In response, Iran launched missiles at northern Israel, prompting further Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Although Tehran later announced a halt to its attacks on Israel, it issued a stern warning of a “crushing” response if Israeli assaults on Lebanon persisted.
The escalation in hostilities follows a period of heightened tension since late February, when the US and Israel initiated airstrikes on Iran, leading to Iranian retaliatory actions against Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets. Although a temporary ceasefire was established on April 8, subsequent negotiations faltered due to disagreements over its implementation and other regional developments.