Madbouly clarified that Egypt will engage in military conflict only if directly threatened, such as through attacks on its borders or vital resources.

During a press conference, he reiterated that Egypt follows a highly balanced approach, emphasising that the Egyptian Armed Forces are committed to defending the nation and will only take action if the country is directly threatened.  

Furthermore, Madbouly shed further light on the term "war economy" which he used recently. He explained that, according to his usage of the term, a "war economy" does not indicate that the country intends to go to war but that the state effectively allocates and manages state resources in preparation for potential regional escalations. 

Citing Egypt’s response to COVID-19, Madbouly noted how resources were redirected to support healthcare. Similarly, he explained, that in the event of conflict escalation, the government's priority would be to minimize the impact of the conflict by ensuring Egyptians have access to their basic needs. 

In addition, Madbouly warned that attacks on critical oil or nuclear infrastructure in the region could have catastrophic consequences that could cause the conflict to spiral out of control as the parties to the conflict begin retaliatory strikes. These attacks, Madbouly added, would also impact global oil prices and reduce the available amounts of these products worldwide and access to them. 

Moreover, he highlighted that any such escalation could severely disrupt global trade, impacting shipping routes, logistics, and supply chains.

"We are working within the framework of preparing for such scenarios," said Madbouly, emphasising the importance of being ready for heightened tensions or the worst-case scenario of a regional war. 

However, he reassured the public that the government is fully prepared and has taken measures to secure the nation's resources in case of potential conflicts.

Last week, a public controversy sparked following Madbouly's statements about the possibility of Egypt being forced to adopt a "war economy" in case war breaks out in the region.