Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed developments in the Middle East and the proposed temporary maritime corridor in the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call.
Iran and Oman’s proposal to establish a temporary joint maritime corridor through the strait was among the issues assessed by the two ministers. They also discussed the importance of maritime transport for oil exports and supply chains.
Iran and Oman’s corridor proposal
Iran and Oman announced on Tuesday evening that they had agreed on a phased framework for establishing a temporary joint maritime corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. The two countries stressed the need to hold joint talks with regional countries bordering the Gulf waters.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said, after consultations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, that the temporary corridor could be announced soon. Al-Busaidi said a permanent solution would be addressed through talks with regional partners.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said a memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran on June 18 regarding freedom of maritime navigation had failed to advance because of disagreements over the security of the strait.
Egypt’s efforts to reduce regional tensions
Abdelatty said they were maintaining intensive contacts with regional and international parties to reduce tensions and resume implementation of the memorandum of understanding previously signed between the United States and Iran. He said they aimed to reach lasting understandings through these contacts that would strengthen regional security and stability.
Gaza ceasefire plan
The developments in Gaza were also discussed. Abdelatty briefed Lavrov on the latest situation regarding the Palestinian issue, particularly the meetings hosted by Egypt on a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Egyptian foreign minister said they aimed to achieve calm through contacts with all parties and implement the obligations in US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war.
Abdelatty said Israel must fulfill its obligations under the plan’s first and second phases. He called for an end to settlement expansion and land seizures that weaken the prospects for peace.
On September 29, 2025, Trump announced a 20-point plan providing for an end to the war in Gaza, an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, the entry of humanitarian aid and the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. The plan also included the disarmament of armed groups and the deployment of a temporary international force to promote stability.
Cooperation with Russia at the El Dabaa plant
Abdelatty and Lavrov also discussed ways to develop cooperation between Egypt and Russia. The talks included the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project, which Russia is building in western Egypt.
The plant, being established in the city of El Dabaa in Egypt’s Matrouh Governorate, is the country’s first project aimed at generating electricity through nuclear energy. The project is being carried out in cooperation with Russia’s state-owned company Rosatom.
