Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi received a phone call from Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, initiating discussions about the war on Gaza and the potential restoration of diplomatic ties between the two states. The call, held on 23 December, began with Raisi congratulating Al-Sisi on securing a third presidential term after winning the presidential elections. “President Al-Sisi appreciated this valued gesture,” read the Egyptian presidential press release. The presidential pair also tackled developments in the Gaza Strip. “The Zionist regime is a cancerous tumour and a serious threat to security and peace in the region has been proven to everyone,” read the Iranian presidential press release, which also dismissed the United States’ role as a peace mediator due to its unconditional support of Israel. Raisi also affirmed his expectation in Egypt to use “all its capacities” to stop Israel’s continuous military operations in Gaza and continue serving as a gateway to humanitarian relief for Palestinians. The two heads of state hinted at a potential diplomatic restoration between Egypt and Iran. “[Al-Sisi] emphasised his country’s readiness to take practical steps to resolve issues between the two countries,” stated the Iranian press release….
Gaza Conflict Prompts Iran-Egypt Diplomatic Dialogue, Raisi and Sisi in Discussion
December 24, 2023
