Cairo has so far taken on the role of mediator in the war with Iran, but local media is clearly leaning toward Tehran. For now, Egypt appears to prefer preserving the current balance of power in the region.
While most Arab states have been absorbing hundreds of Iranian drone and missile attacks or have become fronts by Iranian proxies, Egypt has remained outside the regional confrontation, two and a half weeks into the war. Not only has not a single projectile been launched toward Egyptian territory, even the Houthi rebels in Yemen have so far refrained from disrupting shipping in the Red Sea bound for the strategically vital Suez Canal. Egypt's government takes pride in this and attributes it to a combination of quiet diplomacy and significant military power.
Even so, Cairo has been forced to respond to the attack on its allies in the Persian Gulf. These states form the backbone of Egypt's economy. The relationship is not limited to financial aid, loans and investments. Millions of Egyptian workers are employed in these countries and send foreign currency home to their families. If the Iranian launches and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue for an extended period, the Gulf states could suffer unprecedented economic damage that would directly affect Egypt's own economy. Egypt's economy is particularly vulnerable to crises. Even a minor economic shock could push masses into the streets.
Burak Çelik, a Turkish expert on Middle Eastern foreign relations, tells Israel Hayom that Egypt is pursuing an extremely cautious balancing strategy amid the war. "Cairo has no interest in being dragged directly into the confrontation, but it cannot ignore the strategic consequences of prolonged regional escalation," Çelik said. "From its perspective, the main concern is not Iran itself, but the potential instability in the region and the risk of additional economic pressure at home." "At the same time, Cairo seems to be quietly aligning with the broader Sunni Arab consensus that favors containing Iranian influence while maintaining diplomatic flexibility. It is trying to remain strategically relevant without becoming a frontline actor in the confrontation. Egypt's position appears less active and more like controlled strategic caution." (Read More)
