Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Monday urged US President Donald Trump to intervene to stop the ongoing war involving Iran, warning that the conflict poses an unprecedented threat to global energy supplies and could trigger severe economic repercussions worldwide.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi stressed the need to overcome the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, which the International Energy Agency (IEA) has described as the most severe in modern history in terms of its impact on global energy markets.
He said this crisis has triggered two major shocks: a disruption in energy supplies and a subsequent surge in prices.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi made the remarks on Monday, while opening the ninth edition of the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2026) held from March 30 to April 1 in Cairo, with high-level international participation including Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and senior executives from major global energy companies.
Spokesman for the Presidency Mohamed El-Shennawy said the opening ceremony began with a documentary on the EGYPES 2026. President Sisi then listened to speeches by Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi and John Christmann, the CEO of US oil and gas exploration company Apache Corporation. A second documentary was subsequently screened, highlighting the perspectives of leading global oil and gas executives on cooperation with Egypt. The president also listened to a recorded address from Jasem Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and remarks by Ditte Juul Jørgensen, the Director General for Energy at the European Commission.
In his address, President Sisi welcomed his Cypriot counterpart, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union — along with other attendees.
He said the Egypt Energy Show has become a prominent global platform for dialogue and the exchange of views on the future of energy, which he described as a key driver of the global economy, highlighting the serious challenges facing the world due to the current crisis in the Middle East.
The president also spoke about cooperation between Egypt and major energy companies, expressing appreciation for what he described as fruitful collaboration over the past five years despite difficult circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine War, the war in Gaza, and the current regional conflict, which he said has had a major impact on energy flows and supply chains.
President Sisi underlined that any halt or freeze in energy activities can take years of production to return to normal levels, thanking Egypt’s partners in the sector and adding that the country intends to settle all outstanding dues to relevant companies by June 2026.
He also thanked Cyprus for ongoing collaboration in energy and other strategic sectors, as well as the European Union, pointing to efforts to bring Cypriot gas fields into global markets and link them to Egypt’s liquefaction facilities.
President Sisi warned that the continuation of the war would have serious repercussions for the global economy, including rising the prices of fuel, fertilizer and agricultural products, with negative consequences for developing countries, particularly those facing fragile economic conditions.
He expressed Egypt’s concern over the continuation of the conflict, recalling previous appeals to US President Donald Trump during the Gaza war, when he said Trump was the only person who can stop that war, which led to the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit and the adoption of a US-backed plan.
“No one doubts the strength of the United States as a global power,” Sisi said, addressing Trump directly. “No one can stop the current war except you … I speak to you in my name and on behalf of humanity and those who love peace … please help us stop this war — you are capable of doing so.”
He expressed hope for a swift resolution to the crisis to spare the region further destruction, emphasizing the need to unify efforts to end the war.
The spokesman added that the two leaders discussed current regional developments, with President Sisi reaffirming Egypt’s full condemnation of attacks on Arab states and outlining efforts to de-escalate the regional situation and return to diplomacy.
Both presidents underscored the importance of intensifying endeavors to end the war and prioritizing political solutions to avoid further escalation.
President Sisi also called on energy companies, particularly those participating in the show, to step up efforts to increase production, including renewable energy, to help ease the current crisis.
Since the outbreak of the Iran war, Cairo has intensified high-level diplomatic contacts aimed at de-escalation and finding a peaceful solution to end the conflict.
Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has held meetings, including a quadrilateral meeting with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan in Islamabad, and a series of calls with key international counterparts to revive political dialogue and prevent further military escalation.
European officials have publicly expressed confidence in Egypt’s mediation role, particularly given its track record in managing crises, such as the Gaza crisis.
Egypt has also been exploring indirect channels to reduce tensions between major actors, including efforts to facilitate renewed communication between the United States and Iran.
Officials have repeatedly stressed the need for negotiated solutions and warned of the broader implications of continued escalation on global energy security, supply chains, and economic stability.
Regionally, Cairo has maintained close coordination with Gulf states and other Arab partners, emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of navigation and safeguarding energy infrastructure amid rising risks in the Gulf.
Overall, Egypt’s approach combines bilateral outreach, multilateral coordination, and backchannel diplomacy, aiming to contain the conflict while mitigating its spillover effects on regional security and the global economy.
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