Iran’s Interests Section chief in Cairo Mojtaba Ferdowsi-Pour
Speaking to the BBC Arabic satellite channel, Ferdowsi-Pour said Iran had no confirmed information on the validity of the reports, adding, “We must ask the relevant authorities in the Arab Republic of Egypt whether this matter is true or not.” He said it was not possible to confirm or deny the reports before they were properly examined and verified.
Ferdowsi-Pour stressed that every state has the right to manage its relations and alliances in a way that serves its national interests, adding that Egypt has the right to cooperate and coordinate with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states within the framework of joint defence arrangements. He noted that the Egyptian side had previously discussed such proposals.
Regarding Iran’s position, should the reports prove accurate, Ferdowsi-Pour said Tehran does not oppose any cooperation that is not directed against Iran or carried out in support of what he described as the “American-Israeli enemy.” He reiterated Iran’s rejection of any American or Israeli presence near its borders or within its regional sphere.
He added that Iran considers the deployment of long-range Israeli missiles in areas facing its coast to be unacceptable, in an apparent reference to military cooperation between Israel and some regional states, stressing that Tehran was monitoring such developments cautiously.
Ferdowsi-Pour concluded by saying that Iran does not want “imported security” in the Gulf, but rather a collective regional security framework led by the countries of the region themselves and free from external interference.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visited the United Arab Emirates on Friday amid heightened regional tensions following Iranian attacks targeting Emirati territory and critical infrastructure, with the trip underscoring growing Egyptian-UAE security coordination and Cairo’s support for Gulf stability.
The visit drew particular regional attention after images and footage circulated showing El-Sisi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan inspecting Egyptian air force personnel and Egyptian fighter jets stationed in the UAE.
The deployment was widely viewed as a demonstration of military coordination and joint defence readiness between Cairo and Abu Dhabi amid growing security concerns in the Gulf.
During the visit to Abu Dhabi, El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “full solidarity” with the UAE and stressed that Gulf security forms an integral part of Egypt’s national security, according to the Egyptian presidency. The Egyptian president also warned against further regional escalation and called for intensified diplomatic efforts to contain tensions across the Middle East.
Although Egyptian authorities did not announce operational details regarding the deployment, the presence of Egyptian combat aircraft in the UAE reflected a broader pattern of expanding military cooperation between the two countries over recent years.
Egypt and the UAE have repeatedly conducted joint air, naval, and special forces exercises, including the Zayed and Khalifa military drills, which involved Egyptian fighter jets operating from Emirati bases such as Al-Dhafra Air Base.
Egyptian officials have consistently framed such cooperation within the context of Arab collective security and joint defence coordination, particularly in light of regional conflicts, threats to maritime navigation, and escalating confrontations involving Iran and Israel.
The appearance of Egyptian fighter jets in the UAE during El-Sisi’s visit also carried symbolic political significance, signalling Cairo’s readiness to support Gulf allies while reinforcing strategic ties with Abu Dhabi at a time of heightened regional volatility.
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