Egypt hopes US-Iran MoU marks ‘turning point’ for Middle East stability

CAIRO – 18 June 2026: Egypt on Thursday welcomed the interim deal recently reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the agreement would mark a “turning point” toward a new phase of de-escalation.

In phone talks with Senior Advisor to the US President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, Abdelatty expressed his aspiration that this memorandum of understanding (MoU) ushers in a new phase of de-escalation, confidence-building and the restoration of security and stability across the Middle East.

The two officials commended the strong Egyptian-American relations, as well as the developments in Libya, and the Horn of Africa.

Their talks come the presidents of the United States and Iran both signed an initial peace agreement overnight aimed at ending the war between the two countries.

The deal allows the deal to take immediate effect while negotiations continue on a comprehensive final settlement.

The MoU provides for the "immediate and permanent termination of military operations" on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

It also outlines a framework for addressing Iran's nuclear program, reopening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting sanctions on Tehran.

Egypt and other regional partners have pushed for a diplomatic settlement to end the escalation in the Middle East, which disrupted global energy markets and heightened regional tensions.