Ankara: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Thursday against what he described as Israeli 'false-flag operations' following a drone attack on a gas vessel at Egypt's Damietta Port, saying Egypt's security is of 'utmost importance' to Tehran. In a post on the US social media company X, Araghchi described Egypt as 'an important friend and partner in the region' and said: 'Its security is of utmost importance to us.'

According to Anadolu Agency, Araghchi emphasized the need for vigilance against Israeli plans potentially aiming to disrupt regional peace. He stated, 'We must all be vigilant against Israeli plots and false-flag operations designed to undermine regional peace.' The minister further highlighted the shared threat faced by Muslim countries, noting, 'The threat is clear, mutual, and fearful of Muslim solidarity.'

The warnings came in the wake of a drone attack that occurred a day earlier, which resulted in two gas vessels catching fire at Egypt's Damietta Port, located on the Mediterranean coast. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reported that authorities had retrieved the drone's wreckage and were engaged in a security analysis to ascertain its origins, emphasizing that any conclusions would be based on factual evidence rather than conjecture.

Egyptian authorities stated that preliminary investigations pointed to the involvement of a drone in causing the fire, although they clarified that no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Investigations are ongoing to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.