Sisi warns of regional instability at military Iftar

CAIRO - 1 March 2026: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a stark warning regarding escalating regional conflict, noting that continued instability and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz could further cripple global energy flows and maritime trade.

The President spoke at the military’s annual Iftar marking the 10th of Ramadan victories. Attendees included Counselor Hesham Badawi, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Counselor Essam Farid, President of the Senate; Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister; Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production; and Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. Also present were Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, alongside various ministers, governors, heads of the main military branches, senior state officials, members of parliament, veteran military leaders, and students from the Egyptian Military Academy.

Sisi emphasized that modern warfare inevitably inflicts negative consequences on both combatant nations and their neighbors, particularly as combat technologies evolve. He noted that "miscalculations" in these conflicts result in severe repercussions for regional balance, extending beyond humanitarian concerns to fundamental state stability.
 

As a stakeholder in regional security, Sisi confirmed he has held discussions with Gulf and Arab counterparts to reiterate Egypt's rejection of any aggression against sovereign states and to affirm support for allies facing these crises.

The President said Egypt has faced significant material losses since 7 October, as navigation in the Suez Canal has yet to return to its normal patterns. He emphasized that the state must now prepare for all possibilities and scenarios, particularly the risk of a total blockade at the Strait of Hormuz.

"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz will impact oil flows and prices," Sisi noted in a Sunday statement, adding that while Egypt has secured necessary reserves to stabilize the domestic front, the duration of the crisis remains an unpredictable variable.

Reflecting on Egypt's diplomatic role, Sisi described a "sincere effort" over recent months to bridge the gap between the United States and Iran. Despite these mediation attempts, the President expressed skepticism regarding an immediate cessation of hostilities. "In Egypt, we were keen to emphasize the importance of non-escalation and achieving calm," Sisi said, "though I doubt that [a ceasefire] will be achieved."

Linking foreign policy to internal stability, Sisi attributed Egypt’s ability to withstand the "perfect storm" of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the Gaza-Iran escalation to the endurance of the Egyptian people. He concluded by urging national unity, framing the current geopolitical climate as a series of challenges largely beyond state control, but manageable through strategic patience.