Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed his country's full support for efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement to end the Iran crisis during talks with US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe on Sunday, September 20, 2026. According to Presidential Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy, El-Sisi emphasized that such an agreement should restore regional security and stability and guarantee the freedom of international navigation.
The meeting, which was also attended by General Intelligence Service (GIS) Director Hassan Rashad, addressed ways to strengthen the strategic relations between Egypt and the United States. El-Sisi expressed Egypt's appreciation for its longstanding and distinguished ties with Washington and praised the continued development of cooperation and coordination on regional and international issues.
El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's commitment to resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic channels and addressing their root causes comprehensively, while preserving state institutions, national unity, and territorial integrity. He also reiterated Egypt's firm support for the security and sovereignty of Arab states and its rejection of any attacks against them.
Ratcliffe conveyed US President Donald Trump's greetings to El-Sisi and stressed the US administration's commitment to maintaining close cooperation and coordination with Egypt to strengthen security and stability in the Middle East. The CIA director praised Egypt's central role in supporting efforts to reach peaceful and comprehensive settlements to regional crises.
The talks also covered the situation in Gaza, with El-Sisi stressing the importance of fully implementing the second phase of Trump's plan to consolidate the ceasefire. He reiterated Egypt's call to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire agreement, protect civilians, and ensure adequate and sustained humanitarian aid access to the strip.
The meeting also touched on the war in Sudan, with El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt's unwavering support for Sudan's unity, stability, and legitimate national institutions. He highlighted Egypt's active engagement in international and regional frameworks to address the crisis, end the war, alleviate humanitarian suffering, and support a political settlement.
The discussions between El-Sisi and Ratcliffe followed Friday's Egypt-US consultations between Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and US presidential adviser Massad Boulos on Iran, Sudan, and Libya. The two officials also stressed the need to protect navigation through the Strait of Hormuz under international law, amid continuing disruption in the strategic waterway.
Key points
- Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi expressed support for a comprehensive agreement to end the Iran crisis during talks with US CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
