Egypt’s President El-Sisi, Iraqi PM discuss ways to de-escalate ongoing regional war

CAIRO – 16 March 2026: President Abdel Fattah El‑Sisi received a phone call from Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mohammed Shia’ Al‑Sudani, on Sunday. They focused on the latest regional military escalation, said the Egyptian Presidency in a statement.

President El‑Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for Iraq’s sovereignty, security, and stability, stressing that Egypt stands by the Iraqi government in its efforts to spare Iraq from any regional conflicts that could threaten its stability.

The President also reiterated Egypt’s firm position rejecting and condemning any aggression against Iraq or any Arab state, as well as any infringement of their sovereignty and security.

President El-Sisi and the Iraqi Prime Minister also discussed ways to strengthen joint Arab coordination to ensure the protection of Arab nations' security, the preservation of their sovereignty, and the confrontation of various challenges.

The Iraqi Prime Minister reviewed the efforts undertaken by the Iraqi government to contain the current tensions. He expressed appreciation for Egypt’s keenness to support Iraq during this critical stage, as well as for Egypt’s supportive stance toward the security and stability of Iraq and all Arab states.

Several phones calls took place between President El-Sisi and other regional leaders inlcuding King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, and King Abdullah II of Jordan. The phon calls focused on a "collective Arab national security" concept to protect Arab states from external threats or aggression. In parallel, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty embarked on a regional tour on Sunday, starting from Qatar, then the UAE and Oman. Egypt is exerting termendous diplomatic efforts to contain the confrontation, warning of its expansion to the whole region. President El-Sisi also offered Egypt’s mediation between Iran and the US to end the war.