Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described Egypt as an 'important friend and partner' and called for Muslim solidarity against Israel's attempts to undermine regional peace. Araghchi stressed the need to be vigilant against Israel's 'false flag' operations.
In a post on X, Araghchi said, 'Egypt is an important friend and partner in the region, its security is extremely important to us,' adding, 'We must all be vigilant against Israel's plans and false flag operations targeting regional peace. The threat is clear and common; they fear Muslim solidarity.'
The statement came after unofficial accusations against Iran following a drone attack that targeted two ships at Egypt's Damietta Port. Iran's embassy in Cairo announced on its Facebook page, citing a source from the Foreign Ministry, that Tehran had no involvement in the attack.
The source said, 'Iran absolutely did not carry out this operation and has no intention of doing so.' The same source stated that friendly relations between Iran and Egypt are based on mutual respect and common interests. The embassy also quoted Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bekayi as saying, 'The drone attack on Egypt has nothing to do with Iran. The main factor in spreading insecurity in the region is the US.'
The Egyptian government, in a statement on Thursday, reported that a fire broke out on two ships at Damietta Port as a result of a drone attack, but did not identify the perpetrator. Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly said, 'We found the remains of the drone that targeted the ship at Damietta Port, security units are examining them.'
On Wednesday evening, Egypt's Petroleum Ministry announced that a fire broke out on two gas carriers at the port. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported that a drone attack targeted a US-owned, Marshall Islands-flagged LNG storage facility.
U.S. President Donald Trump, when asked about the issue, said, 'I have been briefed on the matter, this is a continuation of what we have seen before, but things will be handled.' Trump stated that the US would respond 'very hard' to Iran, saying, 'We will hit them very hard because it's our turn to hit. They know it's coming.'
This incident marks the first overt targeting on Egyptian soil since the war between the US and Iran began on February 28. While Washington carries out attacks inside Iran, Tehran claims to target US interests and bases in Gulf countries, Jordan and Iraq, carrying out missile and drone attacks.
Egypt and Iran severed diplomatic relations in 1979 after Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel and the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, took refuge in Egypt following the revolution. Relations resumed 11 years later at the chargé d'affaires level, but no ambassador was appointed.
