Combined photos of (From L to R) Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
During the call, President El-Sisi expressed deep concern over the military escalation in the region driven by the ongoing Israeli-US war on Iran and its serious consequences, including rising energy prices, disruptions to supply chains, and impacts on air and sea transport, affecting the whole region and the wider international community.
El-Sisi also condemned Iran’s targeting of Arab countries, noting that these attacks come at a time when Gulf states and other regional actors have been working to de-escalate tensions and pursue a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
He warned that the conflict could spread further and potentially plunge the entire region into more chaos.
According to the Egyptian presidency, the two leaders also discussed the situation in Lebanon, stressing the importance of coordinated de-escalation efforts, particularly among the Quintet group, which includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United States, and France.
El-Sisi and Macron also emphasized the need to halt Israeli attacks on Lebanon and its infrastructure, continue supporting the Lebanese state and its institutions, and prevent a full-scale escalation. They also stressed the importance of enabling the Lebanese army to fulfil its responsibilities in line with recent decisions to place all arms under state control.
The call also discussed the war in Gaza, with both sides stressing the need for full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the delivery of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities without obstruction, and the start of early reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, while rejecting any attempts to displace Palestinians from their land.
For his part, Macron expressed appreciation for Egypt’s ongoing efforts to contain the current crisis, affirming France’s commitment to working toward restoring peace and stability in the region as quickly as possible.
Both presidents agreed to continue close consultations between their countries on regional issues and ongoing crises.
The call came as the US‑Israeli war on Iran intensifies and Israel expands its strikes into Lebanon in response to Hezbollah attacks, with the confrontation drawing in global powers, disrupting energy and transport networks, and increasing instability across the region.
Meanwhile, Tehran has continued its retaliatory attacks against Israel and the US military assets in the Gulf region, despite recent statements by President Masoud Pezeshkian that Iran would not target neighbouring countries unless attacks were launched from their territories.
The Iranian attacks came in response to earlier US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials.
On Tuesday, Macron announced that France had redirected its aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, from the North Atlantic to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the escalating Middle East conflict and concerns that it could spread to Europe.
"I have ordered the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, its air assets, and its escort of frigates to set course for the Mediterranean," the French leader said.
Macron also said France was sending additional air defence units to Cyprus, a day after Iranian-made drones struck the British Royal Air Force (RAF) base at Akrotiri on the Mediterranean island.
Egypt-France ties
According to the Egyptian presidency, the two leaders also discussed the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and France, as well as ways to expand cooperation in trade, investment, industry, transport, and education.
In this context, El-Sisi praised the progress in bilateral relations since the announcement of a strategic partnership during Macron’s visit to Cairo in April 2025, expressing Egypt’s desire to deepen this partnership in the interest of both countries.
Macron, in turn, commended the growing cooperation between the two countries in various fields and stressed the importance of continuing to implement this strategic partnership.
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