Sisi, Meloni Discuss Middle East Developments in High-Level Call

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi held a phone call on Friday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to review the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, amid renewed diplomatic momentum following the recent U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement.

According to the Egyptian presidency’s official spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, President El-Sisi underscored the critical importance of safeguarding regional peace and stability. He stressed the need to build on the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran, calling for the launch of a serious and sustained negotiation process to resolve outstanding disputes.

The Egyptian leader highlighted Cairo’s intensive diplomatic efforts in recent months to curb escalation, reaffirming Egypt’s unwavering support for the security and stability of Arab nations. He reiterated Egypt’s firm rejection of any violations of sovereignty or actions that undermine the resources and stability of regional populations.

On her part, Prime Minister Meloni expressed strong appreciation for Egypt’s role in stabilizing the ceasefire, aligning with President El-Sisi on the urgency of preserving regional calm. She emphasized the importance of ensuring the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation without additional fees, as well as safeguarding Gulf security.

Meloni also called for a comprehensive agreement on Iran’s nuclear program that includes robust guarantees, alongside concerted efforts to prevent a renewed outbreak of conflict. She reaffirmed Italy’s commitment to strengthening political coordination and cooperation with Egypt to achieve these objectives.

The conversation further addressed developments in Lebanon, where the Italian prime minister voiced hope for launching direct negotiations leading to a ceasefire. She noted that Hezbollah had made miscalculations, while stating that Israel’s response had exceeded the bounds of legitimate self-defense.

Meloni stressed the importance of advancing ongoing negotiations in Islamabad to reach a final agreement that would bring an end to the broader regional conflict.

Beyond regional security, both leaders reviewed the trajectory of bilateral relations between Egypt and Italy, exploring avenues to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, particularly in trade and economic development. Discussions also covered joint efforts to combat irregular migration, with Meloni expressing gratitude for Egypt’s tangible role in addressing the issue.