On September 20, 2026, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received John Ratcliffe, the Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in Cairo. The meeting was attended by Egyptian Intelligence Minister Hassan Rashad. According to the Egyptian presidency's spokesperson, Mohamed Shenawy, the two officials discussed ways to boost strategic relations between Egypt and the US.
President El-Sisi expressed Egypt's appreciation for its long-standing and distinguished relations with the US, which have continued to evolve across various fields. He commended the level of coordination and consultation between the two countries on regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Egyptian president views the US as a key strategic partner in the political, security, and economic domains.
El-Sisi praised the efforts of US President Donald Trump to achieve global security, peace, and stability. During the meeting, the Egyptian president reviewed developments in the Middle East, emphasizing Egypt's full support for efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the Iranian crisis. This, he said, would help restore security and stability in the region and ensure international freedom of navigation.
The Egyptian president reiterated Egypt's firm stance in support of Arab security and sovereignty, rejecting any aggression against Arab countries. He stressed the importance of resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic channels, addressing their root causes in a comprehensive manner. This approach, he said, would preserve national institutions and safeguard the territorial integrity and unity of states.
John Ratcliffe conveyed President Trump's greetings to El-Sisi, expressing appreciation for the meeting. He emphasized the Trump administration's commitment to continued close coordination with Egypt to promote security and stability in the Middle East. Ratcliffe also acknowledged Egypt's pivotal role in supporting efforts to achieve peaceful and comprehensive settlements to regional crises.
The CIA director praised the existing level of cooperation between the CIA and Egypt's General Intelligence Service in areas such as security, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and transnational crime. This cooperation is seen as a key aspect of the bilateral relationship between Egypt and the US.
The meeting between El-Sisi and Ratcliffe reflects the strong ties between Egypt and the US, with both countries seeking to enhance their strategic partnership. Key aspects of their cooperation include counter-terrorism, regional security, and economic development. The two officials demonstrated a shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Key points
- Egypt and the US are working to strengthen their strategic partnership across various fields, including politics, security, and economy.
- The two countries are cooperating closely on counter-terrorism and regional security issues.
- Egypt supports efforts to achieve a comprehensive agreement to end the Iranian crisis.
