Minister Rashwan said Egypt’s position is based on full solidarity with Arab countries targeted by Iranian missile attacks and a firm rejection of strikes on Gulf states, Iraq, and Jordan.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty had reiterated Egypt’s stance regarding the Iranian attacks during a visit to Riyadh, where strikes hit while he was attending a meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to discuss the escalating tensions, Minister Rashwan said in a statement.
Rashwan said the current situation could put global energy supplies at risk and lead to stronger international efforts to end the war. He added that Gulf states were among the first to condemn Israel’s strikes on Iranian oil facilities earlier on Wednesday, describing them as a more serious escalation than previous stages of the war, with possible global impacts on energy supplies.
Rashwan said Cairo expects stronger international efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. “The region is on the brink of a new phase of war,” he noted, expressing hope that efforts by Egypt and other regional and international actors will help contain the crisis.
He stressed that the scale of the current escalation requires unified Arab political, diplomatic, and media messaging, describing the situation as unprecedented and warning that Gulf states are facing such attacks for the first time within a wider regional conflict.
Rashwan urged Arab intellectuals and media figures to play a constructive role in strengthening unity, warning against disputes and narratives driven by emotion rather than facts.
He stated that the wider Arab public should recognize the “shared destiny,” noting that attacks on Gulf states affect not only their citizens but also millions of residents of different nationalities.
“The danger is no longer hypothetical; it has already materialized,” he said, warning that the conflict could expand beyond the region.
Rashwan also pointed to ongoing coordination among Arab states, including calls by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with Arab leaders and international officials aimed at stopping the escalation.
He raised the possibility of activating the Arab Joint Defence Treaty and suggested considering a unified Arab deterrent force similar to NATO.
“The key lesson today is the need for coordinated Arab action, diplomatically, politically, in the media, and militarily,” he said, describing the developments as unprecedented in modern Arab history.
Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt reaffirmed that its relations with Arab states targeted by Iranian attacks remain rooted in deep fraternal ties at all levels, rejecting any attempts to undermine them.
In a joint statement, Egypt’s Ministry of State for Information, the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, the National Press Authority, and the National Media Authority said any attempt to harm relations with Gulf states and other Arab countries is a “crime” against both national and broader Arab interests.
The statement urged media professionals to avoid unfounded disputes and adopt a rational tone reflecting the deep-rooted ties between Arab peoples.
Rashwan said that while some negative content has appeared on social media, it represents a small minority and does not reflect the broader public or mainstream media. He added that legal action will be taken against violations.
He concluded that although the current crisis is serious, the long-standing ties between Egypt and other Arab states will endure, warning that some actors are seeking to inflame tensions but that Egypt remains alert at all levels.
Egypt has stepped up diplomatic efforts in recent days to support collective Arab security amid rising regional tensions, with President El-Sisi and Foreign Minister Abdelatty leading a series of high-level contacts with Arab and international counterparts.
These efforts come as the region faces growing fears of a wider war involving Iran, Israel, and Gulf states, alongside risks to energy security and key shipping routes.
El-Sisi has held calls with several Arab leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, reaffirming Egypt’s full support for Gulf states and stressing that Gulf security is part of Egypt’s national security.
During the calls, the president also emphasized the need to strengthen joint Arab security efforts, coordinate positions to contain the escalation, and work with international partners to support de-escalation.
At the same time, FM Abdelatty has been active diplomatically through a regional tour and international contacts aimed at strengthening a unified Arab position and preventing further escalation. He held meetings in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, where he delivered messages from President El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s full support for Gulf states and calling for closer coordination to address the crisis.
He also took part in consultations in Riyadh with Arab and Islamic foreign ministers to discuss the ongoing escalation.
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