Combined photos from (L to R) Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, US Special Envoy to Middle East Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
During the calls, FM Abdelatty stressed the need to reduce escalation and contain rising tensions, warning against the risk of the region sliding into new cycles of instability.
He underscored the importance of de-escalation and of creating a climate conducive to prioritizing diplomatic solutions.
In its statement, the foreign ministry said Egypt’s top diplomat also emphasized the need to adhere to diplomatic tracks and to prepare the necessary conditions for resuming dialogue between the United States and Iran, with a view to reaching a comprehensive agreement on the nuclear file that takes into account the interests of all parties.
Such an agreement, Abdelatty said, would strengthen security and stability at both the regional and international levels.
In September, Cairo facilitated an agreement between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the UN nuclear watchdog to resume inspections of Iranian nuclear program.
FM Abdelatty's calls amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran over the past two days, following a series of statements by US President Donald Trump, who said Washington was combining increased military pressure with an openness to diplomacy in its approach toward Tehran.
Trump confirmed the deployment of additional US naval and air assets to the Middle East, describing the “big armada” move as a precautionary deterrent aimed at preventing further escalation and protecting US interests and allies in the region.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Iran “wants a deal,” suggesting that the show of force was intended to push Tehran back toward negotiations rather than trigger a confrontation.
At the same time, he warned that the United States would not hesitate to act if Iran escalated its nuclear activities or contributed to destabilizing actions across the region, underscoring that “all options remain on the table.”
US officials said the military deployments were accompanied by expanded aerial drills and heightened readiness, framing the measures as part of a broader strategy to reinforce deterrence while keeping diplomatic channels open.
Senior figures in Washington indicated that the US is “open for business” if Tehran chooses to pursue talks and that Iran knows the terms under discussion, suggesting informal lines of communication remain open.
Iran has condemned the US military buildup, warning that continued pressure and threats risk further destabilising the region.
Iranian officials have said any attack would be met with a firm response, while reiterating that diplomacy, rather than coercion, is the only viable path to resolving disputes.
The exchange of rhetoric comes amid heightened regional volatility, including tensions in the Gulf and concerns about the spillover effects of a wider confrontation.
The latest developments have raised international concerns about the risk of miscalculation, prompting regional and international actors, including Egypt, to intensify diplomatic efforts to de-escalate and encourage a return to dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
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