Egypt warns renewed U.S.-Iran escalation could be even more destructive than previous fighting

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Cairo is “extremely worried” that renewed escalation in the war between the United States and Iran could prove even more dangerous and destructive than earlier rounds of fighting.

Speaking at the IISS Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on Saturday, Abdelatty warned that another military escalation “would lead nowhere” and said governments should draw lessons from what had already happened in the conflict.

His comments come as regional governments intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed U.S. strikes on Iran after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday in an effort to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran, while Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and other regional states have also pressed for more time to pursue diplomacy.

Cairo has repeatedly argued that there is no military solution to the Iran crisis and has urged both sides to return to negotiations.

Egypt is also concerned about the wider economic and security consequences of renewed fighting, including instability around the Strait of Hormuz and disruption to energy markets and global shipping.

An interim agreement reached in June failed to produce a lasting ceasefire or restore normal commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has since proposed reopening the waterway within seven days as part of a broader agreement, while Washington and Tehran remain divided over whether nuclear concessions or relief from U.S. restrictions should come first.