Egypt's Sisi, Trump discuss regional mediation efforts in phone call

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and US President Donald Trump discussed mediation efforts to restore regional calm which would have a positive impact on Red Sea navigation and end economic losses for all parties, the Egyptian presidency said today according to Reuters.

Since Israel launched its genocidal bombing campaign in Gaza, Yemen’s Houthis have targeted Israel-linked vessels in the Red and Arabian Seas, in acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The strikes have disrupted global commerce and set the US military off on a costly campaign to intercept missiles.

Trump said earlier yesterday that he had discussed with Al-Sisi the progress made against the Houthis, as the White House continues its biggest military attacks against Yemen under Trump’s administration since 15 March.

In messages mistakenly shared with a journalist at The Atlantic magazine in March disclosing US war plans against the Houthis, one of the US officials quoted in the chat relayed by the Atlantic said that Trump approved the Yemen plans but “we soon make clear to Egypt and Europe what we expect in return”.

The Egyptian statement made no mention of the messages or Washington’s strikes against Houthis.

Egypt has been impacted by the Houthis’ attacks on the Red Sea area since November 2023, which forced vessels to avoid the nearby Suez Canal and reroute trade around Africa, raising shipping costs.

Al-Sisi said in December the disruption cost Egypt around $7 billion in lost revenue from the Suez Canal in 2024.

READ: Egyptians rally in support of Gaza following Eid al-Fitr prayer