Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump Discuss Mediation for Regional Peace

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump Discuss Mediation for Regional Peace

Cairo, April 1, 2025 – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed efforts for mediation to establish regional peace in a phone call, which is expected to have a positive impact on Red Sea navigation and help reduce economic damage for all parties, the Egyptian presidency announced on Tuesday.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have carried out over 100 attacks since the end of 2023, claiming these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza region. These attacks have disrupted global trade and forced the U.S. military to conduct costly missile defense operations.

On Tuesday, Trump stated that he discussed the progress made with President El-Sisi in the fight against the Houthis, and that the White House is currently launching the largest military assault against the Houthi group, which began on March 15. Trump mentioned that these attacks were conducted in response to Houthi assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, and he warned Iran, the Houthis' main supporter, to cease this support immediately.

Additionally, a message incorrectly published in The Atlantic magazine in March indicated that Trump had approved Yemen plans. However, the message stated, "We will soon clearly communicate our expectations to Egypt and Europe." The Egyptian government's statement did not reference this message or Washington's attacks.

In November 2023, Egypt faced damage in the Red Sea area due to Houthi attacks, causing ships to reroute around Africa to avoid the nearby Suez Canal, which increased shipping costs.