Egypt’s FM continues intensive contacts to de-escalate regional tensions

CAIRO – 18 July 2025: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has continued his intensive diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region, according to a statement released Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of these efforts, Minister Abdelatty held phone calls with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Ambassador Tamim Khallaf, official spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, stated that the discussions focused on promoting calm, securing a sustainable ceasefire between Iran and Israel, preventing further escalation, and advancing political and peaceful resolutions to the crisis.

The conversations also addressed the revival of negotiations between Iran, the IAEA, and the E3 countries (Germany, France, and the UK) concerning the Iranian nuclear program. Khallaf noted that progress on this front would help restore the diplomatic process and address concerns about the program, especially in light of the E3’s recent announcement that the UN sanctions mechanism may be activated in the coming weeks.

During the call with the UK Foreign Secretary, Ministers Abdelatty and Lammy discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, and tourism.

In his conversation with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Minister Abdelatty also discussed bolstering cooperation between Egypt and the IAEA in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.