“UNJUSTIFIED AGGRESSION”: Egypt Condemns Iranian Strikes as Regional Tour Solidifies Anti-Tehran Bloc
CAIRO / RIYADH — Egypt has issued its strongest condemnation yet of Iran’s military campaign against its neighbors, labeling the recent wave of missile and drone strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states as “unjustified attacks” that threaten the bedrock of Arab national security.
In a series of high-level diplomatic meetings held on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s “absolute solidarity” with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, warning that the “dangerous escalation” by Tehran has moved the region toward a state of “total chaos.”
A “Dangerous Escalation” Against Civilians
The Egyptian rebuke follows a devastating 24-hour period that saw an Iranian drone strike a fuel storage tank at Kuwait International Airport and fresh ballistic missile interceptions over Riyadh.
Key Points of Egypt’s Official Position:
- Rejection of Pretexts: Minister Abdelatty emphasized that these attacks cannot be justified by “flimsy pretexts”—referring to Tehran’s claims that it is only targeting U.S.-linked assets—and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
- Violation of Sovereignty: Egypt joined a 12-nation Arab-Islamic bloc in declaring that the targeting of desalination plants, residential areas, and energy hubs constitutes a “flagrant violation of international law” and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.
- Maritime Security: Cairo expressed deep concern over the “chokehold” on the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the disruption of global energy flows and threats to navigation in the Bab al-Mandab are unacceptable.
“Arab national security is an integral part of Egypt’s national security. We will spare no effort in supporting our brothers against any threat to their sovereignty.” — Badr Abdelatty, Egyptian Foreign Minister
The “Sisi Doctrine”: Leading the Diplomatic Offensive
The statements coincide with a whirlwind regional tour by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has visited Jeddah, Manama, Abu Dhabi, and Doha over the past 72 hours.
Egypt’s Strategy for De-escalation (March 25, 2026):
| Objective | Action Taken |
| :— | :— |
| Unified Arab Front | Coordinating a “unified position” ahead of the March Arab League Council meeting. |
| U.S.-Iran Dialogue | Pushing for direct Washington-Tehran talks as the “only way” to avert a wider war. |
| Energy Stability | Working with GCC partners to mitigate the “April fuel crunch” through alternate supply routes. |
| Lebanese Sovereignty | Backing the Lebanese government’s authority and rejecting Israeli “expansionist” moves. |
High Alert at Home
The conflict has not remained a distant foreign policy issue for Cairo. Since the war began on February 28, the Egyptian government has taken several domestic precautions:
- Aviation Red Alert: Cairo International Airport remains on high alert, serving as a hub for diverted international flights as neighboring airspaces close.
- Flight Suspensions: State-carrier EgyptAir has maintained its suspension of flights to 13 regional destinations, including Kuwait, Dubai, and Baghdad, citing “uncalculated risks” from drone debris.
- Mediation Efforts: Egypt is reportedly acting as a key backchannel for Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, attempting to convince Tehran that the 15-point ceasefire plan is a legitimate “off-ramp.”
What’s Next?
As delegations head to Islamabad for the Thursday, March 26 summit, Egypt’s role as a “diplomatic bridge” will be tested. While Cairo remains firmly aligned with its Gulf benefactors against “Iranian aggression,” it is also leading the charge for a negotiated settlement to avoid the “total infrastructure phase” of the war scheduled to begin this Friday.