Egypt and Iran strengthen ties as fighting in Gaza rages

Egypt has revealed that intensive contacts are taking place between Cairo and senior Houthi and Iranian officials, aiming to prevent the maritime confrontation between Israel and the Houthis from escalating.

It expressed concerns about such escalations impacting the Suez Canal route.

According to a report released on Friday, Egypt recently engaged in discussions with Houthi leaders following the U.S.-UK strikes in Yemen last week, attempting to understand the group’s possible response and assess the implications.

Egypt emphasized that it doesn’t support any international action against the Houthis and clarified to the United States the danger of a military solution, adding that it’s better to push for a solution that puts an end to the war in Gaza.

It assured the Houthis that it is making progress in discussions with Israel regarding increasing the amount of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip.

While expressing appreciation to Egypt, the Houthi leaders confirmed to Egypt that there’s no intention to expand attacks against cargo ships, except those heading to Israel or related to it, despite the recent strike against the group in Yemen.