Egypt stands firmly with Gulf, warns against ‘widespread chaos,’ says FM

CAIRO – 17 March 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, has reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering solidarity with its brotherly nations in both words and deeds.

Speaking at a meeting with a number of journalists at the Diplomatic Club in downtown Cairo, the Foreign Minister detailed his recent diplomatic tour of the Gulf and Jordan. He said that the visit was a message of resolute support for Egypt's regional partners in the face of recent blatant attacks.

Abdelatty revealed that Egypt is engaged in daily, high-level coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, Jordan, and Iraq to draft and pass a resolution condemning the attacks. He noted that Egypt has been coordinating with Russia and China to prevent the use of the veto in the recent UN resolution condemning the blatant attacks on the Gulf states.

“We exerted every effort to avoid a negative and catastrophic scenario for the security and stability of the region,” Abdelatty stated.

He further explained that Cairo maintains continuous contact with leaders across the Gulf and other Arab nations targeted by these completely unjustified strikes.

The Foreign Minister emphasized the urgent necessity of halting “heinous attacks” and preventing further military escalation. He noted that Egypt is conducting intensive consultations with the European Union and the G7 to stabilize the situation.

Warning against the region's descent into "widespread chaos," Abdelatty said Egypt’s current focus is threefold: stopping the attacks, ending the war, and establishing subsequent security arrangements. He also cautioned against "lies and rumors" circulating on social media intended to sow discord between Egypt and its Arab allies.

Abdelatty explicitly condemned the Iranian aggression against Gulf states from its onset, describing the maneuvers as “blatant and unjustified.” He clarified that his scheduled visits to Kuwait and Bahrain were only postponed due to the temporary closure of airspace in both countries.

No military intervention requests

Abdelatty denied that Egypt has received any requests from Arab states to intervene militarily in the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that current regional efforts are focused on establishing new security arrangements from within, rejecting any attempts by external powers to impose visions or "imported" ideas on the region.

The Foreign Minister stressed the urgent necessity of activating existing legal frameworks and agreements already ratified by Arab states, specifically highlighting the Joint Defense Agreement. He warned of the repercussions of the regional conflicts, which could lead to widespread chaos.

He also highlighted the role of the Arab League, within the parameters established with its Arab partners, in halting foreign interference, respecting international law, rejecting any attempts to impose a position through blatant armed force, and preventing nuclear proliferation in the region.

The Foreign Minister explained that the region is undergoing transformation due to the current military operations, suggesting a shift in the regional balance of power. He added that Egypt is discussing all possible scenarios regarding the consequences of this dangerous military escalation.

The Foreign Minister pointed out that Egypt has firm positions rejecting the spread of nuclear weapons and was one of the first countries to sign it as part of its legal obligations, calling for all countries to be forced to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty based on the principle of universality.

Situations in Sudan, Palestine, and Lebanon

Turning to other regional conflicts, Abdelatty discussed the ongoing crises in Sudan and Palestine.

The Foreign Minister revealed serious proposals for a humanitarian ceasefire. He confirmed that Egypt is in close contact with the United States to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the Sudanese conflict.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Abdelatty affirmed ongoing efforts to ensure the success of the U.S. administration's plan for the Gaza Strip.

On the situation in Lebanon, the Foreign Minister said Egypt is working tirelessly to halt Israeli aggression and push for an immediate ceasefire. He noted that a planned meeting in Paris, originally set for March 5, was postponed due to the fighting.

He warned of the severe repercussions of the invasion of southern Lebanon, adding that Cairo is warning Israel—via American channels—against such a move.

Egypt remains committed to providing all necessary support to its brothers in Lebanon during this period, Abdelatty concluded.