Sisi urges Trump as only one capable of ending regional war

CAIRO - 30 March 2026: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Monday called on U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene to end the ongoing conflict in the Gulf.

Speaking at the Egypt International Energy Exhibition and Conference (EGYPES), Sisi warned that a prolonged war could send oil prices soaring above $200 per barrel and trigger a global food crisis.

He described the U.S. as the world's "great superpower" and the only force capable of halting the escalation. He recalled his previous discussions with Trump regarding the war in Gaza, noting that the U.S. president’s involvement was instrumental in reaching a peace plan and halting that conflict.

"I am telling President Trump: No one can stop the war in our Gulf region but you," Sisi said in a Monday address. "I speak to you in the name of humanity and all peace-lovers. Please help us stop the war; you are capable of doing so."

The president warned of a "double shock" to the global economy: a severe supply shortage followed by a massive price hike. He noted that nearly 25% of global energy supplies moving through the Gulf have faced significant transport crises over the past month. 

Sisi said expressed deep concern that the targeting of production facilities or refineries could lead to catastrophic consequences, even worse than blocking the Strait of Hormuz. 

Beyond energy, Sisi highlighted the threat to global food security for 8 billion people. He explained that the conflict disrupts the production of fertilizers—a critical component for global crops and livestock feed—which will cause sharp price increases that fragile and middle-income economies may not be able to withstand.

Reflecting on Egypt’s history with conflict, from 1956 to 1967, the Yemen War, 1973, and the war on terrorism, Sisi remarked that "wars always result in loss, ruin, and destruction; no one emerges happy or winning."

The president urged energy companies to intensify exploration efforts for oil, gas, and renewable energy to mitigate the crisis. 

He also lauded the strategic cooperation with Cyprus, specifically thanking President Nikos Christodoulides in the attendance for the use of Egypt's liquefaction facilities in Damietta to bring East Mediterranean gas to global markets.

Sisi concluded by stressing that the current moment demands transparency and collective action to reduce the severity of the crisis, which he described as potentially the largest energy crisis in modern history.