Egypt seeks to ...
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Relations between Iran and Egypt have experienced many ups and downs over the past decades and, despite recent improvements, have yet to reach the level of full diplomatic ties. Could the latest crisis derail the fragile progress made in bilateral relations?
Yes, because Egypt still views its relationship with Iran primarily through a security lens rather than a political one. Therefore, if the conflict continues and Egypt becomes more deeply involved, it is quite possible that even the limited progress achieved during President [Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi's tenure could be reversed.
Given Egypt's historical standing in the Arab world, if Cairo refrains from entering the conflict, how might that influence the positions of other Arab states toward the Iran-US confrontation? Could Egypt set an example for other regional actors?
I would not say it would serve as a model, but it would certainly be influential. Arab countries pay close attention to Egypt's historical political status and military weight. At the same time, however, every country ultimately pursues its own interests and priorities.
Egypt's position will therefore matter to other Arab states, but each country is likely to assess the conflict through the prism of its own national interests, challenges and security concerns.
Egypt has joined the 14-member maritime coalition led by Saudi Arabia to safeguard the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. To what extent could this membership influence Cairo's position toward tensions between Iran and the United States? Can Egypt still maintain its balanced foreign policy?
In my view, Egypt's diplomatic establishment is capable of maintaining balanced relations with all countries, including Iran.
The Egyptians are deeply concerned about instability in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait because it carries immediate economic and security consequences for the country. At the same time, Cairo's primary objective is to address the problem at its source—that is, by resolving the conflict in the Persian Gulf.