In press remarks, Hegazy said that President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's meeting with the Iranian top diplomat affirms Tehran's acknowledgement of Egypt’s pivotal role and its efforts to de-escalate the situation, aiming to contain the ongoing conflict and bring stability and peace to the region. 

He further said that Egyptian diplomacy plays a crucial role in communicating with all parties of the conflict, warning of the continued Israeli violence and its dangerous escalation and the US support for Israeli actions, including the provision of arms across various fronts.

Hegazy also confirmed that the visit of the Iranian FM to Cairo comes as part of an extensive diplomatic tour across the region, aiming to send direct messages, particularly to the US, regarding Iran's vision of the dangers posed by the current confrontation with Israel.

The visit also aims to express Iran's warnings of the confrontation risks and potential Iranian responses, especially if Israel exceeds strike limits that could provoke a comprehensive response from Iran, the Egyptian diplomat noted.

Hegazy further said that the Iranian FM's visit also aims to send messages to the US and Israel on the need to contain Israel's reaction to the operation Tehran carried out earlier this month, as a response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.

From the Egyptian ambassador's perspective, the Iranian FM also seeks to gain support from regional capitals to exert pressure on the US administration, as it is the only one capable of pressuring Israel regarding the precision and strength of its response to Iran.

The US is the one holding the decision for an Israeli war against Iran, as it cannot be purely an Israeli decision, given that any escalation between Tehran and Tel Aviv would pose a "direct threat" to the US interests throughout the region, Hegazy stressed.

In this regard, Hegazy believes that Iran is likely seeking to "contain the Israeli strike rather than prevent it," recognizing that an Israeli response is "inevitable."

However, he explained, Tehran "will not remain silent if a strategic strike targeted its nuclear programme or its oil projects and resources," although it may tolerate an Israeli strike on military objectives within Iran.

He added that Araghchi's visit comes within the scope of the "preventive diplomacy" needed for the next phase, reflecting a conscious and responsible stance from all parties to mitigate the consequences of the situation in Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Iranian visit prospects
 

The visit presents a chance for regional and international diplomacy to not only resolve the ongoing conflict but also lay the ground for regional relations built on the principles of respecting national sovereignty and non-interference in other nations' internal affairs, paving the way for implementing a two-state solution, said Hegazy.

The diplomatic tour also aims to showcase Tehran's vision for the upcoming diplomatic efforts, including the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1701, and the potential future role of Hezbollah in Lebanese politics, according to Hegazy's remarks.

The Egyptian diplomat concluded by saying that the Middle East can only progress towards a new future if its countries take control of political decision-making.

Earlier Thursday, El-Sisi received the Iranian FM, where the Egyptian president reiterated Cairo's call for de-escalating the conflict to avoid slipping the region into a full-scale war.

Araghchi also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty in Cairo, where both sides discussed the latest regional developments and the increasing tensions in the Middle East.

The Iranian FM's visit to Cairo comes amid the ongoing Israel aggression on Gaza and Lebanon and threats to attack Tehran, raising fears of a full-scale war.

The visit is the first by a high-ranking Iranian official to the Egyptian capital in over a decade.