Egyptian Contacts to Reduce Tensions Between the United States and Iran

SadaNews - Egypt announced - on Sunday evening - that it has conducted communications with Iran, the United States, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Omani mediator, aiming to reduce tensions in the region.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated - in a statement - that in accordance with presidential directives, Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atti has continued his intensive communications over the past two days with his Omani counterpart Badr Al-Busaidi and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

The Egyptian communications also included the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, and the U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Hickey, according to the Egyptian statement.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry indicated that this comes as part of efforts to achieve de-escalation and reach a settlement regarding the Iranian nuclear file.

The communications addressed the importance of reducing tensions and containing the escalating situation in the region, preparing the grounds for continuing negotiations between the United States and Iran, and pushing towards diplomatic and political solutions.

The Egyptian minister emphasized - during his contacts - "the importance of overcoming any disagreements and that there are no military solutions to the various crises and challenges facing the region."

Abdel Atti noted that his country will continue its communications with regional partners and both the American and Iranian sides to reach a peaceful settlement that achieves the interests of the concerned parties.

It is noteworthy that in September, Cairo hosted a meeting that brought together Grossi, Araghchi, and Abdel Atti, in the context of consultations on the Iranian nuclear file and ways to support the diplomatic path.

Upcoming Negotiation Round

On Sunday, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi announced a new round of negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear file to be held in Geneva, Switzerland next Thursday.

The Sultanate of Oman hosted - last Tuesday - a round of negotiations between the two parties in Geneva, following a previous round held in the capital Muscat on February 6th.

In recent weeks, the United States has been bolstering its military forces in the Middle East and threatening military action against Iran if an agreement is not reached.

Israel insists that any potential agreement must include halting the Iranian missile program and Tehran's abandonment of its proxies in the region, despite Tehran's assertion that the recent negotiations focused solely on the nuclear file.

Tehran sees Washington and Israel as fabricating pretexts for intervention and regime change, and threatens to respond to any military attack, even if limited, while insisting on lifting Western economic sanctions in exchange for imposing restrictions on its nuclear program.

Source: Anadolu Agency