Egypt, Iran hold talks to resume diplomatic track for de-escalation in region

Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a phone call to discuss the latest regional developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The two ministers discussed efforts to create conditions for a return to diplomacy, including the implementation of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the United States and Iran on June 18, according to a statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Saturday (local time), IANS reported.

Abdelatty stressed the importance of intensifying ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease current escalations and reach peaceful understandings that would help restore security and stability in the region, reports Xinhua news agency.

He also underscored the importance of ensuring the freedom and safety of international navigation and respecting the security and stability of the Gulf states in a way that serves the interests of all peoples in the region.

Araghchi briefed Abdelatty on Iran's assessment of recent developments, the course of negotiations, and the challenges facing them, according to the statement.

Under the US-Iran MoU, the two sides were scheduled to hold negotiations within a period of 60 days, which ended on Monday, to reach a final agreement. Yet the talks' fate remains unclear following the renewed escalation over the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States would launch "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has said that Iran has received "numerous" messages from neighbouring countries about "shaping new security arrangements and economic cooperation" in the region.

In a post on social media platform X on Saturday (local time), Qalibaf said the United States "put the security of every single one of its allies at such risk through bullying and pure disregard for their interests for the sake of Israel."

"A homegrown, independent (regional) order is what will actually deliver peace and security," he added.

The United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and US military bases in regional countries, reports Xinhua news agency.

Media reports, citing regional officials, said Gulf Arab countries were frustrated with Washington for initiating the war while failing to shield them.