Egypt pushes for direct US-Iran talks to contain regional conflict

CAIRO – 28 March 2026: Egypt is working to establish a direct dialogue between the United States and Iran to reduce escalation and curb the conflict expansion.

Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani commended the “sincere” mediation efforts exerted by Egypt, alongside Turkey and Pakistan, to contain the conflict during a meeting with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on Saturday.

Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan have been passing messages between Washington and Tehran in recent days in an attempt to pave the way for direct engagement.

US President Donald Trump insists that the US is negotiating with Iran because Tehran wants to “make a deal so badly” to end the war.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said various messages have been passed through mediators but denied any intention to hold negotiations with the US at the moment.

Last week, Trump extended Iran’s deadline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days, setting it to April 6, and claimed that talks were “going very well.”

Iran has reportedly rejected a US 15-point ceasefire proposal, which included sanctions relief, dismantling its nuclear program, missile restrictions, and reopening the strategic strait.

An anonymous official cited by Iranian state TV said Iran would end the conflict “when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met.”

Instead, Tehran presented a five-point plan calling for an end to US-Israeli operations, guarantees against renewed attacks, and reparations for damage on Iranian territory, according to several reports.

Egyptian Mediation Efforts

The Egyptian and Qatari foreign ministers discussed Cairo’s mediation efforts aimed at reaching a solution to reduce escalation.

Abdelatty briefed his Qatari counterpart on arrangements for the upcoming quadrilateral ministerial meeting between the foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

The meeting, scheduled for Sunday in Islamabad, will discuss recent military developments and regional de-escalation efforts.

The meeting also addressed the negative impacts of the ongoing war on the global economy and regional countries, as well as the measures Qatar is taking to safeguard its security, protect energy infrastructure, and maintain normal economic activity.

The foreign ministers further discussed current challenges to the global economy, including rising energy and food prices and disruptions to global supply chains.